The Nigerian judiciary has been thrown into mourning following the death of Justice Abdullahi Mahmud Bayero, a Justice of the Court of Appeal serving in the Kaduna Judicial Division.
Justice Bayero reportedly died in Cairo, Egypt, following an illness. Members of his family confirmed his death on Wednesday.
The late jurist was one of t
Before his elevation to the appellate court, Bayero served as a Judge of the Kano State High Court, where he built a distinguished judicial career that eventually took him to Nigeria’s second-highest court.
He was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2018 and took the oath of office as a Justice of the court on June 22 of the same year.
During his years at the Court of Appeal, Bayero served on several panels that handled cases involving criminal justice, constitutional rights, commercial disputes and other civil matters arising largely from states within the jurisdiction of the Kaduna Division.
Among the notable decisions in which he participated was a case in which the Kaduna Division reaffirmed that the statutory authority to transfer a criminal case from the High Court to a Magistrate Court rests with the Chief Judge of Kaduna State, rather than an individual trial judge.
The decision underscored the principle that judicial powers must be exercised within the limits prescribed by law.
Justice Bayero also participated in judgments concerning the enforcement of fundamental rights, including appeals arising from allegations of unlawful arrest and detention.
His judicial responsibilities further covered serious criminal appeals, including cases involving capital offences, as well as commercial and other civil disputes.
Despite his prominent position within the judiciary, Bayero was described as a reserved judicial officer who largely stayed away from public attention and remained focused on his responsibilities on the Bench.
In an obituary issued following his death, members of his family described him as a man of integrity, fairness and quiet generosity who viewed the administration of justice not merely as a profession but as a public trust.
The family said his death represented the loss of a jurist whom they believed still had many years of distinguished judicial service ahead of him.
News of his passing has attracted condolences and prayers from members of the legal community and other well-wishers, who prayed for Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him the highest rank in Jannatul Firdaus.
Prayers have also been offered for his family and loved ones, asking Allah to grant them strength and comfort to bear the loss.
Justice Bayero’s death comes as the Court of Appeal continues to handle a significant caseload across its various divisions, including major constitutional, criminal, civil and electoral disputes.
His passing brings to an end a judicial career that spanned service at the Kano State High Court and the Court of Appeal, leaving behind a body of judicial work reflecting his contribution to the development and administration of Nigerian law.
he senior Justices of the Court of Appeal in the Kaduna Division, where he participated in the determination of numerous civil, criminal and constitutional appeals.