Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu, has reportedly passed away, as confirmed by Law & Society Magazine through sources close to the eminent jurist. Justice Ogwuegbu, who would have turned 92 in March 2025, joined the Supreme Court in February 1992 and retired on March 16, 2003.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
Before his elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Ogwuegbu spent five years at the Court of Appeal. He also served in the Supreme Court of The Gambia following his appointment in December 1999. His legal career began as a magistrate, and he progressed through the ranks, serving in the High Court of old Imo State, the Court of Appeal, and eventually the Supreme Court.
Colleagues and proteges remember Justice Ogwuegbu as a humble, resilient, compassionate, and hardworking jurist who delivered many notable verdicts throughout his career. One of his most celebrated judgments was delivered on May 29, 1998, in the criminal case between Sunday Effiong (appellant) and the State (respondent), where he upheld the death sentence for the appellant.
Justice Ogwuegbu also participated in a landmark case between the Federal Government and the eight littoral states over the derivation palaver, concurring with the lead judgment that the Federal Government should calculate derivation based on the low water mark.
After obtaining his LL.B from the University of Liverpool, England, in 1960, Justice Ogwuegbu was called to the English Bar in 1962 and became a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He later earned an LL.M from the University of London.
Throughout his distinguished career, Justice Ogwuegbu made significant contributions to the Nigerian legal system and will be deeply missed by many in the legal community.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
