Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Rev. Fr Emeka Ngwoke of St Pius Catholic Church Umuezejor, Obollo-Eke, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, has described late Justice Centus Nweze as a man of the people.
He said this in a telephone interview while reacting to the death of the Supreme Court Justice, as announced by the apex court.
Ngwoke, the officiating priest where Nweze worshiped from childhood until his demise, is also a close friend and family member.
He said that the late Justice was an epitome of humility, generosity and simplicity.
“I am short of words. Justice Nweze was a man of the people. As a seminarian, he was a core Catholic and a figure loved by all for his simplicity, generosity and kindness.
“During Christmas, people from all walks of life come to his house to celebrate. He accommodates everybody. He will surely be missed,” he said.
Ngwoke added that he would personally miss the late Justice due to his closeness and his giant strides and immense contributions to the church.
“He did so much for the church, so much that he vowed that whenever he died his body should be back to St Pius Umuezejo, to lay-in-state.
“Words alone cannot describe the pains we are going through, it is a very big loss to the church and the whole Obollo community, Nsukka and the entire Enugu State,” Ngwoke said.
Also speaking a family member, Mr Aka Eze Aka, said that the death of Justice Nweze was a devastating and shocking news to the family.
“It was devastating to the whole family. I am not speaking for the family but I know what we are going through now.
“Nweze has trained many people in both our family and the entire community. He attracted developments to the community.
“He will surely be missed,” Aka said.
Also, an elderly woman and a distant relation from Obollo-Eke, Mrs Oriaku Eze, said Nweze’s impact will surely be missed as he was a rallying point for the people of the community.
“Justice Nweze developed the community and was a rallying point for the people.
“He helped the church; pay school fees for indigent persons in the community and celebrated everybody during festivities. He was a good man,” she said.
The late Justice Nweze, who died at 64 , was the only South-East representative in the Supreme Court of Nigeria after the retirement of Justice Mary Peter Odili.
