Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore
Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of Nigeria | |
| In office 12 June 2006 – 17 January 2007 | |
| Preceded by | Muhammad Lawal Uwais |
| Succeeded by | Idris Legbo Kutigi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 January 1937 |
| Party | Non partisan |
Salihu Modibbo Alfa Belgore GCON (born 17 January 1937) is a Nigerian jurist who served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 12 June 2006 until his retirement on 17 January 2007. He previously served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from 1986 and held several judicial offices, including Chief Judge of Plateau State and Justice of the Court of Appeal. Belgore has also chaired several judicial commissions of inquiry and served as Chairman of the Body of Benchers and Vice Chairman of the National Judicial Council.[1][2]
Early life and education
Belgore was born on 17 January 1937 in Ilorin, present-day Kwara State, into the Belgore family. He attended Okesuna Elementary School, Ilorin, between 1944 and 1948 before proceeding to Ilorin Middle School from 1949 to 1951. He later attended Ilesha Grammar School, where he obtained the West African School Certificate in 1956.[1]
He studied law at the University of London and the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple between 1960 and 1963. After being called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in February 1964, he returned to Nigeria, attended the Nigerian Law School and was enrolled as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.[1][3]
Judicial career
Belgore joined the Northern Nigeria Judiciary as an Associate Magistrate in 1964 and later served as Magistrate, Chief Magistrate and Chief Registrar. Between 1974 and 1977 he served as a judge of the High Courts of Benue-Plateau, Kwara, Kaduna, Kano and Plateau States before being appointed Chief Judge of Plateau State in 1977.[1]
In 1979 he was elevated to the Court of Appeal and, in 1986, appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. During his time on the Supreme Court he participated in numerous constitutional, electoral and criminal appeals before succeeding Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais as Chief Justice of Nigeria on 12 June 2006.[1][4]
Professional affiliations
Belgore is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association and Body of Benchers. He is also an Overseas Master of the Bench of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "BELGORE, Hon. Justice Salihu Modibbo Alfa". Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
- ↑ "Belgore: Salute To A Distinguished Jurist At 80". Daily Trust. 29 January 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Distinguished International Members". The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
- ↑ An-Na'Im, Abdullahi Ahmed (2013). Human Rights Under African Constitutions. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 9780812201109.