The man kayode eso(1925-2012)

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. Justice kayode eso was a man of indefatigable character,unblemished personality,a judge per-excellence,and a legal luminary with an unrivalled profundity of the law. He was described as the lord denning of nigeria because of his stand on legal issues,he was an advocate of fairness,impartiality,and the rule of law. The crescendo of his career came during the Awolowo vs shagari legal battle over the 1979 general elections,despite being outnumbered 6-1 in judgment justice kayode eso refused to be intimidated,cowed,and subjugated into acting the script of a military junta who had a stake in the case due to its preference for a candidate over another,his judgment over that case will forever be a point of reference in the history of the nigerian judiciary"giving the minority judgment,justice kayode eso opined and rightly so that at least two-third of 19 states could only be 13 and not 12 2/3,also worth mentioning is 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 judgment he was transferred from Ibadan to Akure then regarded as a rural station. In spite of all this,he remained undaunted discharging his duties with enthusiastic candour and messianic zeal throughout his tenure in the judiciary. All these acts of patriotism and heroism did not go un-noticed and that is why he has received several Awards and University honours too numerous to mention.  He is Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON): 1979; and has been awarded by several universities. Throughout his time in the judiciary justice kayode eso was a beacon of hope and an illuminator of justice little wonder why justice Pius Aderemi tendered Justice Kayode Eso as a “permanent exhibit”. He also added and I quote “Eso’s decisions as a Judge is legendary and a delight to study”,Full of erudite scholarship, well reasoned and replete with legal authorities, there are fine statements of law and veritable guides for all in the legal profession or concerned with law”. Justice Aderemi concluded. However,it is pitiable that the values and principles that the late kayode eso stood for is fast dying,the judiciary is no longer the hope of the common man but the boast of the rich,I hope this present generation of judges will tow his footstep and bring sanity into that vital arm of government. May the soul of justice kayode eso rest in perfect peace.