President Muhammadu Buhari and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, have condoled the family and friends of former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu, who passed away on Wednesday.

Buhari’s condolence message was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Wednesday.

He joined the government and people of Benue, the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Judicial Council in mourning the erudite jurist.

The President noted that the deceased contributed immensely to the structuring of Nigeria’s jurisprudence.

He affirmed that Justice Katsina-Alu’s knowledge, experience and diligence impacted greatly on governance in Nigeria as he featured prominently in landmark cases.

The President believed the late Chief Justice left behind a legacy of discipline, brilliance and diligence that younger jurists should emulate.

Buhari prayed that the Almighty God would grant the soul of the departed a good rest and comfort his family.

Reacting to the news of Justice Katsina-Alu’s death via a statement by his Media Aide Valentine Obienyem, Obi described him as a jurist that served his country faithfully. He said it was so sad to lose two former Chief Justices in one year. He observed that like retired workers everywhere noted for their advice issuing forth from rich experiential background, the country, especially the judiciary, will miss Katsina-Alu’s fatherly advice dearly.

While praying for the repose of his soul, he beckoned on the judiciary to keep his legacies afloat by sustaining some of the reforms started during his time.