Charly boy's father,Justice Oputa dies at 96

      

A former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, died on Sunday at age 96. He died of a stroke-related ailment.

A son of the departed jurist and musician, Mr. Charles Oputa (aka Charly Boy), confirmed the death of his father in a statement.

“The Family of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa wishes to announce the passing to glory of the eminent jurist and a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria at the age of 96 years. He passed on peacefully on Sunday afternoon (May 4, 2014) after recovering from a brief illness. Funeral announcements will soon be released by the family,” Charles’ statement read.

Oputa, before his death, had been absent from public functions in recent years due to ill health.

A source said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue of the National Hospital in Abuja.

Oputa was appointed to head a panel constituted to investigate rights abuses during the 15 years of military rule between 1976 and 1999 when President Olusegun Obasanjo assumed office as the elected president on May 29, 1999.