Ex-Appeal Court justice, Belgore dies at 71

A retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore, is dead. Aged 71.

The news of Belgore’s death was announced on Tuesday night by the chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, Kwara State, Kamaldeen Gambari, Esq.

“Information reaching me now indicates that Hon. Justice Ahmad Olarewaju Belgore, PCJA (Rtd) is dead. May Allah forgive his shortcomings,” Gambari said in a short message posted on social media platforms.

Belgore retired as the Justice of Court of Appeal on April 18, 2023 on attainment of the retirement age of 70.

Born on April 18, 1953, Belgore studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, from 1975 to 1978, where he obtained an LL.B (Hons.) with a Specialisation in Islamic Law.

He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos (Barrister-At-Law (BL) 1978/79 Session and was enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in July 1979.

According to records, the late jurist was appointed a Notary Public in 1987 and served in several positions, including Chairman of the Special Miscellaneous Offences Tribunal in Abuja and Judge of the High Court of Justice, Kwara State, from August 1990 to 2006.

Belgore was seconded to the Republic of the Gambia’s judiciary, where he was appointed as the court’s justice of appeal. Later, he was promoted to acting justice of the Gambia Supreme Court, which he held until December 2005.

The late Belgore was sworn in as Justice of the Court of Appeal, Nigeria, on June 8, 2006, after being appointed on April 27, 2006.

In 2008, he was assigned to the Court of Appeal’s Sharia Panel as Presiding Justice, and in 2015, he was again appointed to the position of Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, this time to the Ekiti Division.

He was appointed member, Body of Benchers of Nigeria, October, 2015. Appointed Life Bencher, February, 2021.