March 07, (THEWILL) – It was a panoply of colour, pomp, pageantry, and rain of tributes at the valedictory session for retiring Hon. Justice Samson Itodo, a judge of the Benue State judiciary, who bowed out after mandatory years of service.
Hon. Justice Itodo, who attained the retirement age of 65 years, was ushered out of service at a colourful ceremony held at the premises of the Benue State High Court, Makurdi, and attended by several jurists, retired judges of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, politicians, and friends of Justice Itodo.
Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who was represented at the ceremony by his Deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu, called for an upward review of the retirement age for Judges from 65 to 70 years.
The Governor, who described the retired Justice Itodo as an outstanding jurist and a perfect gentleman with a lot to offer the State, called for an upward review of the retirement age of judges to enable the country to fully gain from their enormous wealth of experience.
According to him, at 65 years, most judges are still strong and active cerebrally, adding that the famous English jurist, Lord Denning, retired from the bench at the age of 83 years.
Goodwill messages came from several people including the body of senior lawyers led by Chief Bernard Hom (SAN), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Makurdi branch, led by Barr. Maimuna Ikwulono; and the Acting Chief Judge of Benue State, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, who described Justice Itodo as a gentleman, who acquainted himself creditably.
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