Eminent Nigerians yesterday converged on the Ilorin residence of a retired Supreme Court  Justice, the late Justice Saidu Kawu, to pay their last respects to him.

Among the personalities were Kwara State Governor, Alhaji  Abdulfatah Ahmed;  his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki; Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari; former acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Kawu Baraje;  former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore; as well as  two former Presidents, Court of Appeal, Justices Mustapha Akanbi and Ayo Salami

Justice Kawu died on Wednesday   at a private hospital in Ilorin at the age of 85 and his remains were interred yesterday at his home  in accordance with Islamic rites.

The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir Solihu, who was assisted by other Islamic scholars, led the funeral prayers for the deceased.

Solihu prayed Almighty Allah to forgive the late jurist and for Him to grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the great loss.

Saraki, in an interview with reporters shortly after the funeral, eulogised the late jurist for being a quintessential and courageous man while serving on the bench.

Saraki said   the jurist would be sorely missed and urged his colleagues to emulate his virtues.
Justice   Salami also described the late jurist as honest, hard-working and a good disciplinarian, saying every member of the bench sees him as a father.

Justice   Akanbi, in his tribute, described the death of the jurist as a great loss, adding that he lived an exemplary life.

The Grand Khadi of the Kwara State Sharia Court, Justice Idris Haroon, extolled the virtues of  the late Justice Kawu whom he described   as a man of history who had high regard for the community.