The apex court in the Nigeria is mourning the loss of one of its esteemed members, Hon. Justice Centus Chima Nweze.
The distinguished justice passed away yesterday after a brief illness, leaving behind a void in the South East, as it is presently without a single representative in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Hon. Mr. Justice Chima Centus Nweze was born on September 25, 1958, in Obollo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State. A devout Christian of the Roman Catholic denomination, he was married to Hon. Justice Ugonne Jacinta Nweze, who also served in the Enugu State Judiciary. Their union was blessed with five children and a grandchild.
His academic journey showcased brilliance and dedication. He attended St. John Cross Seminary, Nsukka, from 1972 to 1977, where he excelled in the West African School Certificate Examination with Distinction. Subsequently, he pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, from 1979 to 1983. During this time, he represented the Faculty of Law, as well as all Nigerian Law Faculties, at the prestigious Phillip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington DC, where he served as the Chief Oralist.
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Justice Nweze’s legal pursuits continued as he graduated with an LL. B. (Hons) (Nig.) in 1983 and then obtained his qualifying Certificate (BL) from the Nigeria Law School between 1983 and 1984. Following this, he completed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bauchi from 1984 to 1985. Later on, he returned to the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, where he earned a Master of Laws Certificate (LL. M) from 1993 to 1995. He further pursued a Doctorate Degree (Ph. D.) at the same university between 1997 and 2001.
After a successful period in private practice from 1985 to 1995, he was appointed to the High Court Bench of Enugu State in November 1995. During his time on the High Court Bench, he held various important positions, including Chairman of the Second Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Enugu State, from 1996 to 1998, and Chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Nsukka, from 1998 to 1999. He also served as a member of several election petition tribunals.
February 15, 2008, marked another milestone in his legal career as he was elevated to a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria. This position was just a stepping stone for his ultimate destination, as he was elevated to the highest echelon of Nigeria’s judiciary—the Supreme Court of Nigeria—on October 29, 2014, where he served diligently until his passing.
Beyond his judicial role, Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze actively participated in various extra-judicial vocational activities. He was a member of the DFID Access to Justice Programme in Enugu State in 2003 and played a crucial role in the formation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) through his involvement in the National Working Group on the Reform of Criminal Justice Administration in 2004.
His dedication to the pursuit of justice extended to his academic endeavors, where he was a Convenor/Co-coordinator of the LL. M (International Human Rights Programme) and served as a Visiting Human Rights Scholar at the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, from 2000 to 2008. He was also a Distinguished Scholar, Pro Bono, at the Faculty of Law, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Enugu, and a Visiting Associate Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law, Ebonyi State University. Additionally, he was a member of the International Advisory Board for the Annual Survey of International & Comparative Law at the Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, USA.
Hon. Justice Centus Chima Nweze leaves behind an illustrious legacy, marked by his contributions to the legal profession, the pursuit of justice, and the development of human rights. His departure creates a significant void in the legal landscape of Nigeria, and he will be sorely missed by his colleagues, the legal community, and the nation at large. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
