Justice Salami: Eminent jurist bows out

That date however fell on the 2013 Eid-el-Kabir public holiday. According to a source close to the Court of Appeal, arrangements have been concluded by the CA for a befitting valedictory court session scheduled to take place later this week in honour of Justice Salami.Part of the arrangements include a book launch tomorrow to be […]

That date however fell on the 2013 Eid-el-Kabir public holiday. According to a source close to the Court of Appeal, arrangements have been concluded by the CA for a befitting valedictory court session scheduled to take place later this week in honour of Justice Salami.
Part of the arrangements include a book launch tomorrow to be chaired by Justice Muhammed Uwais, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, in honour of the eminent jurist who served the nation.

These programmes would afford Salami, the time and opportunity to talk like a lawyer and vindicate himself as if he were in a law court.
Salami, who had rendered his service to the nation, declined to be appointed to the Supreme Court, saying that he preferred to remain in the Court of Appeal where he continued until he retired.
Salami took over from Justice Umaru Abdullahi who first mooted the idea of computerising the CA but it was Salami, following his appointment on December 2, 2009 as the Acting PCA, which was confirmed on December 16 same year that actualised the dream. He had worked tirelessly towards the execution of the e-court project.
The CA should be commended for maintaining the privileges of the PCA in times of been on suspension as his photographes were still adoring the walls.
Salami retired just like his worthy predecessors, who in spite of their experiences, retired as Presidents of the Court of Appeal with their honour and reputation. Although, he still has a case in court challenging his suspension.
The retired jurist should be credited with the creation of more divisions of the CA during his tenure.
Justice Isa Ayo Salami was born on 15 October, 1943 in Ganma, Kwara State. He was enrolled in Lyeru Okin African Church School, Offa in 1949. From there he moved to St. Cyprians Catholic School, Offa, and later Offa Grammar School.
Salami then attended Provincial Secondary School (Rumfa College), Kano, from where he graduated in 1963.
The following year Salami enrolled into the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and later to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos from 1967-1968. Salami earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B) .
Salami also served as the Offa Grammar School Senior Prefect and held offices at Rumfa College and the Institute of Administration.
He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar on June 28, 1968. He started off as a Collector of Customs and Excise Grade II, and by 1971 was transferred to North Central State Public Service Commission to serve as State Counsel Grade II.
In a few years Salami moved up to become Senior State Counsel Grade I and then Acting Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Kaduna. From here he was transferred to Kwara State Public Service, and started as Senior State Counsel Grade I.
Over the next few years Salami served in a variety of positions. In 1976 he was Acting Director of Public Prosecution, and by the following year had advanced to Deputy Director. He concurrently held the position of Acting Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ilorin till 1978.
Justice Isa A. Salami served diligently in each of his many enviable capacities, and his career continued to grow. He became Judge of High Court of Justice in 1978 and served in that esteemed office for several years. By 1988 Salami had become the Presiding Justice, Benin for the Court of Appeal, then moved on to Presiding Justice, Kaduna before ending up as the Presiding Justice, Lagos, where he retired at the age of 70.