Justice Eso died in his home in Lagos on Friday morning, according to family sources.
Justice Bobakayode Eso was born on September 18, 1925 at Ilesa, in Osun State, Nigeria. He proceeded to Trinity College, Dublin where he graduated with a Bachelor of Law with Hons Degree in Legal Science in 1953 and a Masters in 1956.
Described as the Father of Judicial Activism in Nigeria, Justice Kayode Eso is the greatest protagonist for an Independent Judiciary and very well known
for his relentless efforts in maintaining discipline and protecting the integrity of his court.
A fearless and Courageous Judge, two of Justice Eso’s celebrated landmark judgements are listed below:
- The mystery gunman case, which is the trial of Wole Soyinka over his role in a broadcast which the government of the defunct western region of Nigeria termed offensive. Justice Eso returned a verdict of not guilty on Soyinka, and shortly after the judgement, he was transferred from Ibadan to Akure, then regarded as a rural station;
- The celebrated case of Chief Obafemi Awolowo Vs Alhaji Shehu Shagari, in 1979 will forever remain green in Nigeria’s jurisprudence. The Apex Court in deciding the law relating to election cases had by a majority of 6-1, affirmed the election of Alhaji Shagari as duly elected President. However, the courageous decision of Justice Eso in this case remains legendary. In his dissent opinion, Justice Eso held that at least two-third of 19 states could only be 13 and not 12 2/3
He has received several Awards and University honours too numerous to mention. He is Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON): 1979; He received LL.D honoris Causa, University of Ibadan: 1990, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka: 2001; and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) 2012.
He was married to Helen Aina Eso and had 2 children and five grand children.
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