Buhari overrules late Kutigi’s family, burial at national cemetery

President Muhammadu Buhari has authorised the burial of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Kutigi, at the National Cemetery against the Gugu cemetery earlier announced by the family of the late Justice.

Mrs Binta Aliyu, the family’s first child, had said the body of the late jurist had been scheduled to arrive in Abuja from London in the morning on Wednesday and would be buried at 2.00 p.m. at the Gudu Cemetery, Abuja, after the Janazah prayers at the National Mosque.

But Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, said President Buhari had approved the burial to take place at the national cemetery as a mark of honour to the late Justice Kutigi.

President Buhari hailed late Kutigi’s contributions to the evolution of the country’s jurisprudence.

He said that the nation would not forget the hard work and dedication of the eminent jurist.

The National Cemetery is reserved for the nation’s fallen heroes and it requires the discretionary approval of a sitting President for a citizen to be given a final resting place in its grounds.

President Buhari had sent a government delegation led by his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, to represent him at the funeral prayer at the National Mosque, Abuja, and thereafter, the burial at the National Cemetery.

Other members of the presidential delegation included the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammed Bello; and the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu.

The government delegation had also paid a condolence visit to the widows and other family members of Justice Kutigi at his residence in Asokoro, Abuja.

he family of late Justice Idris Kutigi announced his burial ceremony for October 24 and 25.

A statement by Mrs Binta Aliyu, the family’s first child, said the body of the late jurist had been scheduled to arrive in Abuja from London in the morning on Wednesday, October 24.

The family had earlier reported that the burial will take place same day at 2.00 p.m. at the Gudu Cemetery, Abuja, after the Janazah prayers at the National Mosque, Abuja.

“Fidau prayers will take place on Thursday at 10.00 a.m. at the residence of the late jurist in Asokoro, Abuja.

“The Fidau prayers will also take place simultaneously at the Etsu Nupe’s Palace in Bida and in Kutigi, Niger State.”

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the retired Justice died on Saturday night at a UK hospital after a protracted illness. He was 78 years old.

The late Kutigi was a Nigerian lawyer and judge. He was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State before becoming a high court judge.

Kutigi joined the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1992 and served as Chief Justice from Jan. 30, 2007 until Dec. 30, 2009