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Lagos High Court Judge, Justice Ganiyu Safari, Dies at 62

Published

11 hours ago

15/04/2025

The Lagos State judiciary is mourning the unexpected passing of Justice Ganiyu Safari, a respected judge of the Epe Division, who died early Sunday at the age of 62.

His death, which came as a shock to many, has led to the temporary suspension of court sessions across several divisions of the Lagos High Court.

Justice Safari, who was known for his work in family and probate matters, reportedly died in the early hours of April 14, 2024. He was laid to rest the same day, in accordance with Islamic traditions, at his residence located along Alhaja Busola Street, near Singer Bus Stop, in the Sango/Ota axis of Ogun State.

In honour of the late judge, many courtrooms across the state suspended sittings on Monday, disrupting ongoing legal proceedings. While some divisions may resume as early as Tuesday, others are expected to remain closed until Wednesday to allow judicial staff and colleagues time to mourn.

Justice Ganiyu Safari’s legal journey was distinguished by diligence and a strong sense of duty. He previously served as Chief Registrar of the Lagos State Judiciary before being appointed to the bench on May 28, 2013, by then-Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN).

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His tenure on the bench earned him admiration across the legal community for his fairness, professionalism, and commitment to justice.

The announcement of his death was formally made by the Lagos Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN). In a public statement, the union’s Public Relations Officer, M.O. Ayida, expressed deep sorrow, saying:

“With utmost submission to the unquestionable will of Almighty God, the Lagos State Judiciary announces the death of one of our choicest judges and former Chief Registrar, Hon. Justice Ganiyu Safari, who departed in the early hours of today.”

Additional tributes came from Mrs. Ololade Ige, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Judiciary, and Mrs. Grace Alo, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. Both officials expressed condolences to Justice Safari’s family, noting the depth of his contributions to the judiciary.

The ripple effects of his passing were immediately felt, particularly in ongoing legal proceedings. One of the high-profile cases affected is the murder trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, a former 300-level student at the University of Lagos. Ojukwu is accused of murdering Usifo Ataga, the CEO of Super TV, in a case that has gripped public attention since it began.

Ojukwu, along with her co-defendants Adedapo Quadri and Chioma Egbuchu, faces charges that include murder, theft, and document forgery. At the last hearing, presiding judge Justice Yetunde Adesanya dismissed a no-case submission filed by Quadri and Egbuchu, indicating that the prosecution had successfully presented a prima facie case.

The court was expected to proceed to the defence stage of the trial before the disruption caused by Justice Safari’s death.

Justice Ganiyu Safari’s passing leaves a significant gap in the Lagos judicial system. He was seen as a pillar in the legal community, known not just for his legal acumen but also for his humane approach to justice and leadership within the judiciary.