Ex-AGF, Adoke, Mourns Ex-Supreme Court Judge, Kalgo, Hails His Integrity, Fearlessness

Wale Igbintade

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, has described the late former Justice of the Supreme Court, Umaru Atu Kalgo, as an “incorruptible and fearless” jurist whose judgments and contributions to Nigeria’s constitutional development would remain a reference point for generations.

Adoke, in a tribute mourning the death of the former apex court justice, said Kalgo was among the jurists whose integrity, discipline and commitment to the rule of law helped strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary.

He said the late jurist’s contributions extended beyond the courtroom, noting that Kalgo played important roles in the Constitution Review Committee, the Constituent Assembly and the Law Revision Committee for the Laws of the Federation.

According to him, the impact of Kalgo’s contributions to the country’s constitutional and legal order would outlive him.

Adoke described Kalgo’s career as a “masterclass in service, discipline and quiet excellence,” recalling that he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1965.

The former AGF said Kalgo began his public service career as an Administrative Officer before serving as State Counsel and later Deputy Solicitor-General of the former North-Western State.

He subsequently joined the Bench in 1974 as a Judge of the High Court of Kano State and later served on the High Court Bench in Sokoto State.

His elevation to the Court of Appeal in 1988, Adoke noted, was followed by his appointment to the Supreme Court in November 1998, where he served until his retirement.

Adoke said Kalgo’s progression through the judiciary reflected recognition of his “industry, integrity and depth of legal scholarship.”

He further described the late justice as a judge who combined an unwavering commitment to the rule of law with humility and courtesy towards counsel and litigants.

“It will be recalled that from the High Court Bench to the hallowed chambers of the apex Court, His Lordship remained, in all things, an incorruptible and fearless administrator of justice,” Adoke said.

The former AGF said Kalgo’s judgments were characterised by clarity and independence, adding that they would continue to serve as reference points for lawyers and judges.

“His judgments, delivered with clarity and unclouded by fear or favour, will remain a reference point for generations of lawyers and judges,” he said.

Adoke said the death of Kalgo represented a loss not only to his family and the judiciary but also to the Nigerian legal profession and the wider nation.

“As one who has had the privilege of serving the nation at the very intersection of law and governance, I can attest that jurists of Justice Kalgo’s calibre, hardworking, dedicated and upright, are the pillars upon which public confidence in our justice system rests,” he said.

He expressed condolences to the Kalgo family, the government and people of Kebbi State, the Justices and staff of the Supreme Court, and all those who knew and worked with the late jurist.

Adoke prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive Kalgo’s shortcomings, reward his lifetime of service to humanity and grant him Aljannah Firdaus.

The late Justice Umaru Atu Kalgo, was a distinguished member of the Nigerian judiciary whose judicial career spanned the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.