It is not often that two justices from a state serve at the Supreme Court at the same time, but that is the case of Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who are from Lagos State.
The duo was the centre of attention at the dinner held in their honour by the state, which is proud to have produced two such jurists of outstanding intellect.
As Justice Rhodes-Vivour recalled, two justices from Lagos who also served at the Supreme Court at the same time – the late Taslim Elias and Fatai Williams – both became Chief Justices of Nigeria (CJNs). Will history repeat itself?
It was a joyous occasion as judges, lawyers, families and friends gathered to honour the two who rose to the peak of their career through a combination of hardwork and some fortune.
Justice Rhodes-Vivour rose through the ranks to become the Lagos Director Public Prosecution, was later appointed a judge of the Lagos State High Court, from where he was elevated to the Court of Appeal and subsequently to the Supreme Court.
Called to the Bar in July 1981, Justice Kekere-Ekun, a member of the Class of 77-80 of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Law Faculty, was the first to be appointed a judge of the High Court among her classmates, and has become the first UNILAG female law graduate to be elevated to the Supreme Court.
Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) called them "leaders", saying they have exemplified the quality by their lives and professional achievements.
"I feel confident they will not let us down. They are not just ambassadors for Lagos, they are ambassadors for the country," he said.
Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Amina Augie said jovially that those of them left at the appellate court should be sad at losing two of their best colleagues to the Supreme Court.
"We should be here crying," she said. "But we celebrate with them. They were able to scale the hurdle to the Supreme Court. We all join hands and say congratulations.
"Let me also remind them to have 'mercy' on their colleagues when they are writing those judgments," she said.
Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, said the two were "very great jurists who have done Lagos State proud."
She recalled being sworn in as judge of the state High Court along with Rhodes-Vivour in February 1994, both having also graduated from UNILAG and served in the Ministry of Justice as directors.
"He absconded and I'm left alone, but he's landed safely like an angel in the Supreme Court. He very focused. Today, I'm the Chief Judge and I can say that we're both fulfilled," she said.
"I've known him since our days in UNILAG, though he was a year behind me. We were both directors in the Ministry of Justice, so we have fought the fight together," the CJ added.
Praising Justice Kekere-Ekun, Justice Phillips said her legal reasoning and judgments "are unparalleled."
"Going by her age, I see her being a Chief Justice of Nigeria. I don't know how old I'll be at that time, but I hope I'll be alive to witness it.
"I see a time when Lagos judges will dominate the Supreme Court," she said, adding jovially: "Don't be jealous of us Amina; we can't help it. When you come from Lagos, they know you're the peak of the crop."
Head judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade said the celebrators lives show that "industry and integrity are the way to go – it's obvious."
"We pray that the good lord will give you the Wisdom of Solomon in Jesus mighty name," she added.
A former House of Representatives member Habeeb Fasinro, who is Kekere-Ekun's brother thanked God that her sister has gone through the ranks without blemish.
"Hard work and the fear of God will always take you high. It is said that hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard," he said.
Justice Kekere-Ekun expressed her delight at the honour, adding that she's grateful and proud to be "a product" of Lagos.
"Thank God that both my parents are alive to witness today. My father just turned 94. Seeing everyone here gives us more encouragement. Everyone is here because you want us to succeed," she said.
Justice Rhodes-Vicour said to have the two of them in the Supreme Court at the same time is rare.
Being elevated to the Supreme Court, he said, is not because he was the best judge in Lagos, but because "someone had to go there."
"It is just a stroke of fate or luck that I am at the Supreme Court. All of us cannot be there," he added.
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