Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar has described the late retired Supreme Court Justice, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa as an extraordinary jurist with extraordinary pedigree.

In a tribute to Oputa, issued by his media office in Abuja today, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the death of the retired Supreme Court Justice was like a huge branch being cut off from the nation’s judicial iroko tree.

According to him, apart from his extraordinary courage, the late Oputa was also a man of profound knowledge on account of which he was famously branded the “Socrates of the Supreme Court.”

He explained that for Oputa to earn this appellation from colleagues was a demonstration of his erudition and colossal stature.

Atiku recalled that with no less than 358 judgements and rulings under his belt, the late Oputa was a giant of law not only in Nigeria, but also the rest of Africa.

The former Vice President prayed for the repose of the late Oputa and condoled with his family on this irreparable loss.

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has described the death of a former Supreme Court judge, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa as “a sad and an unquantifiable loss’’ even as Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state also described the late judge as an exceptional jurist who sacrificed his time, knowledge and energy for Nigeria and the rule of law

These were contained in tributes issued today by their media aides, Uche Anichukwu and Felix Ofou respectively

Ekweremadu said: “Nigeria has lost one of her brightest legal luminaries. He was an upright, courageous, intelligent, and patriotic jurist and elder statesman.

“He represented the finest era of the country’s judiciary and it is indeed a sunset for a legal icon and the nation will miss him surely.

“We owe it to the memory of that golden era of the judiciary, which Justice Oputa represented, to engender a radical ethical and professional revival in our judicial system,’’ he said.

The deputy senate president condoled with the family of the late Justice and the nation in general and prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased.

Governor Uduaghan, in his tribute said that Oputa lived a fulfilled life, adding that the legal profession and the entire country had lost an icon and would be affected by his demise.

The governor said that the former Supreme Court justice was “fearless, bold and courageous” while protecting the rights of the poor, deprived and defenceless.

Uduaghan said that the landmark judgments of the late eminent jurist had continued to stand the test of time.

“His judgments have stood the test of time and like good wine are eternal epitaphs from which our laws draw inspiration and are admired.

“The philosophy and wisdom behind his judgments make them almost infallible,” Uduaghan said.

The governor further recalled fond memories he spent with the legal luminary at the instance of his son and musician, Charlie Boy Oputa.

He added: “Everyone knows Charlie Boy is my friend and through him I shared a special bond and relationship with the late justice who ultimately also became a father to me.’’

Nigerian troops are reported to be massing to launch an assault on the Boko Haram enclave in Sambisa forest to free hundreds of schoolgirls kidnapped whom they abducted from their school a fortnight ago, even as the Senate President, David Mark insisted on full military action against the sect as it is now clear that they are trying the will of the government and Nigerians.

It is believed that four battalions of troops have already been stationed at all corners of the forest, backed by fighter aircraft, helicopter gunships and police surveillance helicopters.

A large medical team with mobile clinics and air ambulances had also been sent to the area amid fears of casualties if and when an assault is launched.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Senator David Mark has warned Boko Haram not to try the will of the federal government and the might of its military.

He said that by their continued refusal to release unconditionally, the over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, who are still in their custody, they are inviting the full wrath of Nigerians.

In a statement in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary,  Mr. Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark said: “they (Boko Haram members) have touched the hearts and souls of Nigerians by abducting and kidnapping our children. Children are our future. They have in effect, declared war on Nigeria and Nigerians.
“I have been an advocate for dialogue with the Boko haram elements in this country. But things have gone absolutely beyond bounds and nogovernment will negotiate with Boko haram as long as they keep our girls and our boys.
“They must free those they have abducted unconditionally. Nobody is going to negotiate with them on that basis.
“They must never test the will of the government. They must never test the might of the  Nigerian armed forces. Above all, they must never test the power of the Nigerian people because we must stand united against evil.

“They must have taken government decision to negotiate with them for weakness. They must not . Nigerian armed forces have performed creditably well across the globe.  They will do even better at home to preserve our unity and sovereignty”.
“We are not going to sit down and fold our hands. The federal government must intensify military action against the perpetrators and bring the issue of Boko Haram to a logical conclusion.
“The current situation in the country where some children have taken arms against their own country is totally unacceptable. Parents must share in the blame.”

President Goodluck Jonathan has made it clear that one full year state of emergency is not enough to wipe out Boko Haram, even as he swore that the emergency rule in three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa has performed wonderfully.
The President, who answered questions at a nation-wide Presidential media chat on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and other stations today admitted however that Nigerians are agitating that the state of emergency is frustrating but that it is working.
The President disclosed that if it were not that the security agents have been up and doing, “people would have deserted Bauchi, Damaturu, Maiduguri, Kano and other towns.”
He said that consultations are ongoing to see if the state of emergency in the three states should be extended, even as he said that emergency had nothing to do with sacking the civilian elected government as many people understand.
President Jonathan said that in his attempt to enlist the support of international communities in the fight against Boko Haram, he has been speaking personally with President Barak Obama of America and others such as leaders of France, Cameroon, Chad and many others.
He said that as President, he feels pained whenever a life a lost through terrorist attacks, adding that he is even not happy losing any member of Boko Haram.
“I will do anything possible to bring terrorism and other form of criminal attacks on innocent citizens of this country to an end.
“We need superior intelligence to do so.”

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will only come up with its presidential candidate for the 2015 election after the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has named its own.
The President was answering questions at the live media chat on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) today.
He said that the reality on the ground now shows that it is PDP and APC that are the major parties that are likely to contest Presidential election in 2015.
“PDP is not in a hurry to name its presidential candidate when APC has not done so. Remember that PDP is still the champion.”

Nigeria’s first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has threatened to march in protest to Chibok in Borno State to seek for the release of no fewer than 200 female students abducted a fortnight ago by members of the deadly Boko Haram, making it clear that she is ready to lay down her life for such course of action.

“I do not mind being shot as long as they return our girls to us safely. We are tired of the kidnapping.”

She spoke when she held a crucial meeting with the wives of governors, ministers, female senators, commissioners and more than 200 women from various groups at the State House in Abuja aimed at seeking the actual whereabouts of the kidnapped girls.

She said that a committee will be inaugurated to include wives of all relevant stakeholders at a meeting scheduled for tomorrow, even as she made it clear that refusal by any of such relevant stakeholders to be contacted for the meeting would also lead to a mass protest.

“I cannot perpetuate hearsay and rumour; I must have facts to tell the international community. We will set up a committee to seek the truth as women. If any of those we call refuse to come, we will take the protest to Chibok.”

Dame Patience said that the first ladies of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and various other countries had called to ask questions and offer assistance on the matter, saying: “they intimated me of their readiness to help, they also asked me questions that I could not answer ‎and as women we are the last hope of this nation. We cannot fail our fellow women and the nation.

“‎If need be, we will call on the northern elders to help us so that our children and husbands will not die.” ‎

The ‎Head of WAEC, National Office, Mr. Charles Eguridu, at the meeting gave a clarification over the number of students enrolled for the examination in the school.

Eguridu said that those registered in the Government Girls School, Chibok include a total of 530 made up of 395 girls and 135 boys.

“The school had been reverted to a mixed school but the name remained Government Girls School. We were able to relocate 189 of the total number to write their exams at another village called Uba.”‎

Others who spoke at the meeting included Mrs Yemisi Suswan, Sen. Nenadi Usman and Prof. Sarah Jibril.