Emmanuel Ayoola, former chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), is dead.
Musa Aliyu, ICPC chairman, announced Ayoola’s death in a statement on Wednesday.
Ayoola, who was the second ICPC chairman, died on Tuesday at the age of 91.
He served as the commission’s chairman between 2005 and 2010, after succeeding Mustapha Akanbi.
Ayoola served the country in various capacities. He was appointed as a high court judge in 1976 and rose through the ranks to the supreme court.
He retired as a justice of the nation’s apex court in 2003, having attained the mandatory retirement age of 70.
He was born on October 27, 1933, in Ilesha, Osun state.
Ayoola attended Temidire Model School from 1939 to 1943 for his primary education and Ilesha Grammar School from 1944 to 1950 for his secondary education.
Ayoola obtained a law degree in 1957.
He studied at several institutions, including the University of London and Oxford University London.
In 2002, the secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) appointed Ayoola as a judge of the appeals chamber of the special court for Sierra Leone.
The court was set up to try those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Sierra Leone civil war.
He was president of the court from 2004 to 2005.
In a tribute, the ICPC chairman said Ayoola’s death “marks the end of an illustrious chapter in the history of Nigeria’s judiciary and the broader legal profession”.
“A jurist of international repute, his legal career spanned over five decades, encompassing private practice and notable tenures on the Bench both in Nigeria and abroad,” the statement reads.
“His exceptional integrity, brilliant legal analysis, incisive judgments, and steadfast commitment to justice distinguished him as a towering figure in the legal profession.”
Aliyu said during his days as the ICPC chairman, Ayoola was “unwavering in his commitment to the fight against corruption—a cause he championed with vigour and a profound sense of duty”.
He highlighted that Ayoola’s significant contributions to the Nigerian judiciary and his international roles, including serving as chief judge of the Gambia and working at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, demonstrate his commitment to global justice and the rule of law.
“Justice Ayoola’s remarkable life and work have made a lasting impact on the legal field, motivating future legal professionals and public servants,” he noted.
“As we grieve the loss of this distinguished jurist, we also honor a life devoted to justice, fairness, and societal improvement.
“The ICPC and the nation have lost a respected elder statesman, but his legacy will continue to influence and inspire our efforts in combating corruption, fostering hope for a more just and equitable society.”
