The number of Supreme Court judges in Nigeria further reduced to 18 after Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour retired on Monday.
Rhodes-Vivour bowed out as a Justice of the apex court having reached the age of 70.
It would be recalled that the number of Supreme Court justices rose from 12 to 20 in November 2020 after President Muhammadu Buhari approved the appointment of eight justices.
But the number dropped to 18 after Rhodes-Vivour retired on Monday, days after another Supreme Court justice, Sylvester Ngwuta, died on March 7.
The constitutionally required number of justices for the Supreme Court is 21.
Speaking at a valedictory court session held in honour of Rhodes-Vivour on Monday, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Muhammad, described the retired justice as “physically energetic” man who never gets frightened by any form of challenges.
“His amiable disposition and reticent outlook have literally made him a gentle tiger in the temple of justice,” the CJN said.
Rhodes-Vivour, who said he was able to succeed due to the grace of God, observed that he was never absent from duty over ill health in all his years as a judge.
“I have a testimony, not once was I ever absent from work as a judge due to illness. I did have health challenges, but they were resolved during vacation. All medical procedures were uneventful.
“It is with humility that I have and will continue to give thanks praise and glory to the almighty God. The Lord has been good to me, and I will forever be thankful,” he said.
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