Former Supreme Court Judge, Nwokedi Dies at 91

A retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Paul Nwokedi, has died.
He died last Sunday at the age of 91.

When contacted tuesday, one of the sons of the late jurist, Mr. Uche Nwokedi (SAN), confirmed the demise of his father to THISDAY.

Justice Nwokedi was the pioneer Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). He was also Chairman of the National Law Reform Commission for 10 years and at one time, chaired both Law Reform and Human Rights at the same time.
The late jurist was also a former Chief Judge of the old Anambra State.

His hard work, competence and judicial sagacity propelled him to the highest peak of his career when he was elevated to the Supreme Court Bench.

Born on November 3, 1926, Nwokedi started his elementary education at Holy Trinity School, Onitsha. From there, he moved to St. Gregory’s College, Lagos.
He worked briefly and thereafter studied on his own until he was able to acquire his Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree in London. He studied law at LSE London.

When the Zikist Movement was formed at St. John’s School, Aroloya, Lagos, he was a member of the committee of students in Lagos at the time. He later joined the Zikist Movement and was one of its leaders.
Justice Nwokedi had practised law for about 17 years before he was appointed a judge of East Central State, comprising Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo State.

He was the Chief Judge of Anambra State before Enugu and Ebonyi States was carved out of the state. Nwokedi almost became a royal father but he declined to be crowned as Igwe-Achalla, and instead, gave the opportunity to his younger brother, Dr. Alex Nwokedi.
Shortly after he bowed out of the Bench in 1995, he was appointed the pioneer chairman of the NHRC by the then Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

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