Dr. Olu Onagoruwa, SAN, a former attorney-general and minister of justice of Nigeria, has died at the age of 80. The passing was announced on Friday morning.
It will be recalled that Onagoruwa, a human rights activist as well as the holder of a doctorate degree in law, took up the A-G appointment amid the political impasse that trailed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, and the subsequent attempts by the Gen. Sani Abacha-led military junta to appease the supporters of the presumed winner of the poll, the late Chief Moshood Abiola.
Onagoruwa, whose distinguished legal career demonstrated outstanding competence in the fields of Constitutional Law; Legislative Matters; Banking & Insolvency; Oil & Gas; Telecommunications; and Law & Litigation, was also the African representative of the legal team that helped draft the constitution of Ethiopia in the early 1990s.
For several years, he served as the legal adviser and company secretary of the Daily Times newspaper.
Dr. Onagoruwa was the author of several books and hundreds of articles on law and jurisprudence.
He leaves behind his devoted family and countless professional and business associates, protégés and admirers around and beyond the shores of Nigeria.
His dogged contributions towards the enthronement of democracy and
the rule of law will remain indelible in Nigeria’s political and legal history.
Funeral arrangements to be announced by the family. May his soul rest in peace.
