Bello was a statesman, says Atiku
From Madu Onuorah, Abuja
VICE President Atiku Abubakar on Monday consoled the family of the late Chief Justice of the Federation, Mohammed Bello, describing him as one of Nigeria's "most brilliant legal minds and statesmen".
Vice President Atiku said that even after retirement from the Bench, the late Justice Bello continued to be actively involved in the promotion of peace and religious tolerance in the country.
According to him, Bello's contributions to legal practice and to the dispensation of justice in the country remain unmatched among his peers.
He said: "He presided over the Supreme Court at one of the most critical times in the history of Nigeria. It is to his credit that he managed to protect the judiciary from undue interference by the military.
"Though not the crusading type, Justice Bello recorded some remarkable achievements during his tenure. He handled every assignment calmly, diligently and thoroughly throughout his career", Abubakar said.
He further remarked that his last encounter with Justice Bello was during the launching of the memoirs of Tanko Yakassai in Abuja, adding that at the event, Bello was in his usual self-unassuming, humble and simple manner that defined his life and for which we shall remember him".
