Retired Justice Ahmad Olarewaju Belgore Passes Away at 71

By Iyojo Ameh

The legal community has been thrown into mournimg with the death of retired Justice Ahmad Olarewaju Belgore, a distinguished former Justice of the Court of Appeal, who passed away at the age of 71 in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Belgore’s demise occurred after he broke his Ramadan fast on Tuesday, April 9, leaving behind a legacy of legal excellence and service.

Born on April 18, 1953, Belgore began his legal journey by obtaining an LL.B. (Hons.) in Law from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1978. He later earned his Barrister-At-Law (BL) at the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos during the 1978/79 session, before being enrolled as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 1979.

Throughout his illustrious career, Belgore held various esteemed positions within the legal domain. He served as a Judge of the High Court of Justice in Kwara State from August 1990 to 2006, and as the Resident High Court Judge of the Offa Judicial Division of Kwara State from August 1994 to September 1999.

Additionally, Belgore chaired the Special Tribunal for Miscellaneous Offences in Abuja, showcasing his commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law.

His international experience included a significant secondment to the Judiciary of the Republic of the Gambia, where he assumed the role of a Justice of Appeal in the Gambia Court of Appeal. Subsequently, he served as the acting Justice of the Supreme Court until December 2005.

Upon his return to Nigeria, Belgore was appointed as a Justice of the Court of Appeal on April 27, 2006, and was officially sworn in on June 8, 2006, marking another milestone in his illustrious legal career.

Belgore’s remarkable contributions to the legal profession were further acknowledged with appointments to the prestigious Body of Benchers of Nigeria in October, where his expertise and dedication to the legal field shone brightly.

The passing of Justice Ahmad Olarewaju Belgore leaves a void in the legal community, with colleagues, friends, and admirers remembering him for his unwavering commitment to justice, integrity, and legal excellence. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of legal professionals to come.