Retired Appeal Court Judge, Belgore, dies at 70

Tamarauemi Ebimini

A retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ahmad Olarewaju Belgore, is dead.

Belgore, who is a younger brother to former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Alfa Belgore, died in his GRA residence, Ilọrin, Kwara State capital, on Tuesday night.

He was the presiding Justice of the Ilorin Division of the Court of Appeal before his retirement.

He was also a former Chief Justice of the Gambia.

Reports gathered revealed that the deceased broke his Ramadan fast with some family members on Tuesday night in anticipation of Eid-ul-Fitr but died about two hours later.

Among his last public engagements was the Fidau held for the late District Head of Ballah, Alhaji Salman Olarongbe Abdulkadir, at the Emir’s Palace last week Sunday.

He retired as the Justice of Court of Appeal on 18th April 2023 on attainment of the age of 70.

His Janazah has been scheduled for 4:00 pm on Wednesday at the Belgore’s family compound, Isale Ajanaku, Ilọrin.

In his condolence message, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the deceased jurist as a legal giant and foremost community leader.

“The Governor sends his heartfelt condolences to the entire Ilorin Emirate whose illustrious son the jurist was, to the bar and the bench, and to the Belgores who have lost a rare gem.

“Justice Belgore was a legal giant and a foremost community leader who offered his shoulder for many to lean on“, the Governor said.

Governor AbdulRazaq asks Allah to forgive his shortcomings, admit him to al-jannah Firdaus, and give fortitude to the Belgores and everyone who mourns him.

Similarly, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Mai-Martaba Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari described his demise as a big loss to the Ilorin Emirate and nation at large.

In a statement to mourn him issued by his spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir said, “This is a great and colossal loss that has befell the Ilorin Emirate and humanity at large. ”

“Inna ilaihi waina ilaehi raji’un, it is with shock that I received the news of his demise. He was a complete gentleman, a thorough judicial officer who served the nation meritoriously in various capacities and nationally and internationally.