By Tunde Oyekola
A retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ahmad Belgore, is dead.
Belgore’s demise was announced on Tuesday night in Ilorin in a condolence message by the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari.
Born on April 18, 1953, the retired Justice died nine days before his 71st birthday and about a year after his retirement.
The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said he was saddened by the death, describing the late jurist as a patriot and a rare gem.
“The governor sends his heartfelt condolences to the entire Ilorin Emirate whose illustrious son, the jurist was, to the bar and the bench, and to the Belgores who have lost a rare gem.
“Justice Belgore was a legal giant and a foremost community leader, who offered his shoulder for many to lean on,” AbdulRazaq said.
On his part, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, described Belgore’s death as “a great and colossal loss that has befallen the Ilorin Emirate and humanity at large. “
The emir said the news of Belgore’s death came to him with shock, saying, “He was one of the finest Justices that the Ilorin Emirate has ever produced. He contributed in no small measures to the growth development of the judiciary and humanity in general.”
