Renowned human rights lawyer and former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Olu Onagoruwa, has died at the age of 80.
Onagoruwa was reported to have died in the early hours of Friday, July 21, 2017, after a distinguished career in law and human rights advocacy.
He served as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice under the military administration of General Sani Abacha, having been appointed to the position in 1993.
Also in 1993, Onagoruwa was appointed as an African representative to a body involved in drafting the Constitution of Ethiopia, further reflecting his involvement in constitutional and legal affairs beyond Nigeria.
Before and after his time in government, he remained active in legal practice and public affairs. He also served for several years as Group Legal Adviser and Company Secretary of Daily Times Nigeria.
Onagoruwa was widely known for his advocacy for human rights and the rule of law, particularly during Nigeria’s years of military rule.
His later years were marked by personal tragedy following the killing of his son, Dr. Oluwaseun Onagoruwa, in an incident that generated significant public attention at the time. Reports linked the tragedy to the military era, after which Onagoruwa was said to have suffered a stroke.
A respected legal practitioner, Onagoruwa was also an author whose works reflected his experience in law, governance, constitutional matters and human rights.
His death marked the passing of one of Nigeria’s prominent voices in the legal profession and human rights movement.
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