SALIHU MODIBBO ALFA BELGORE was born on the 17TH
of JANUARY, 1937 to Yusufu Belgore, An Alkali and Aishatu Belgore in Ilorin,
Kwara State.
of JANUARY, 1937 to Yusufu Belgore, An Alkali and Aishatu Belgore in Ilorin,
Kwara State.
His early education was at Okesuna Elementary School,
Ilorin between 1945 to 1948; before proceeding to Ilorin Middle School from
1949 to 1951 and ILESHA GRAMMAR SCHOOL between 1952 and 1956. Honourable Justice Belgore’s professional
training began at the Inns of Court School of Law, London and The Honourable
Society of The Inner Temple after which he was called to the Utter Bar at The
Inner Temple in February, 1964.
Ilorin between 1945 to 1948; before proceeding to Ilorin Middle School from
1949 to 1951 and ILESHA GRAMMAR SCHOOL between 1952 and 1956. Honourable Justice Belgore’s professional
training began at the Inns of Court School of Law, London and The Honourable
Society of The Inner Temple after which he was called to the Utter Bar at The
Inner Temple in February, 1964.
Honourable Justice Belgore was first appointed as an
Associate Magistrate in the Judiciary of the Northern Nigeria in July,
1964. Later on, he served in various
parts of former Northern Nigeria and later in North Central State (now Kaduna
state) variously as Magistrate, Chief Magistrate and Chief Registrar up to
1973. Justice S.M.A. Belgore was further appointed as the Acting Judge of The
High Courts of North Central and Kwara States; Kano and North–Western States,
Benue, Plateau and North–Eastern States in 1974 between February and July.
Associate Magistrate in the Judiciary of the Northern Nigeria in July,
1964. Later on, he served in various
parts of former Northern Nigeria and later in North Central State (now Kaduna
state) variously as Magistrate, Chief Magistrate and Chief Registrar up to
1973. Justice S.M.A. Belgore was further appointed as the Acting Judge of The
High Courts of North Central and Kwara States; Kano and North–Western States,
Benue, Plateau and North–Eastern States in 1974 between February and July.
His other judicial appointments include –
– Appointed Substantive Judge of The High
Courts of Benue, Plateau and North – Eastern States: 2ND JULY, 1974.
Courts of Benue, Plateau and North – Eastern States: 2ND JULY, 1974.
– Appointed a Judge of Plateau and Kwara
States, 1976 – 1977.
States, 1976 – 1977.
– Appointed Chief Judge of Plateau State on
1st March, 1977.
1st March, 1977.
– Appointed Justice of Court of Appeal on 1st
September, 1979 – Vide Official Gazette No 44 Vol. 67 of 18/09/80.
September, 1979 – Vide Official Gazette No 44 Vol. 67 of 18/09/80.
– Appointed Justice of The Supreme Court of
Nigeria 26TH JUNE,
1986.
Nigeria 26TH JUNE,
1986.
Honourable Justice Belgore has also held other
positions including–
positions including–
·
Chairman, Nigerian Institute for Advanced
Legal Studies; highest legal think-tank in Nigeria, established under a Federal
Government Statute. 1999 – 2007
Chairman, Nigerian Institute for Advanced
Legal Studies; highest legal think-tank in Nigeria, established under a Federal
Government Statute. 1999 – 2007
·
Vice-Chairman, National Judicial Council,
2001-2006
Vice-Chairman, National Judicial Council,
2001-2006
·
Member of Board of Governors, National
Judicial Institute, 2002-2006
Member of Board of Governors, National
Judicial Institute, 2002-2006
·
Chairman National Archives
Chairman National Archives
·
Life Member, Body of Benchers
Life Member, Body of Benchers
·
Member, Legal Practitioners Privileges
Committee, 1998-2002
Member, Legal Practitioners Privileges
Committee, 1998-2002
· Appointed The Honourable Chief Justice of
Nigeria on The 14TH DAY OF JUNE, 2006
Nigeria on The 14TH DAY OF JUNE, 2006
·
Chairman, National Judicial Council
Chairman, National Judicial Council
·
Chairman, Federal Judicial Service
Commission
Chairman, Federal Judicial Service
Commission
·
Chairman, Legal Practitioner Privileges
Committee
Chairman, Legal Practitioner Privileges
Committee
·
Chairman Board of Governors, National
Judicial Institute
Chairman Board of Governors, National
Judicial Institute
·
Vice President, Chartered Institute of
Arbitrators
Vice President, Chartered Institute of
Arbitrators
·
Judge, administrative tribunal of the
African Development Bank
Judge, administrative tribunal of the
African Development Bank
· Master bencher, honourable society of the
inner temple, London – January, 2007 – for life.
inner temple, London – January, 2007 – for life.
Honourable Justice Belgore
has also been the recipient of many Honorary Awards including;
has also been the recipient of many Honorary Awards including;
· GRAND COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER
(GCON)
(GCON)
· COMMANDER OF THE ORDER OF THE NIGER (CON)
· LLD (HONORIS CAUSA), IGBENEDION UNIVERSITY,
OKADA
OKADA
· LLD (HONORIS CAUSA), UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA,
GWAGWALADA
GWAGWALADA
· D.LITT (HONORIS CAUSA), AL HIKMAH
UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY
Honourable Justice S.M.A
Belgore speaks Yoruba, Hausa, English, Arabic, some French and understands
Igbo. His hobbies include; History, Sciences, Physics, Mathematics and to some
extent Medicine.
Belgore speaks Yoruba, Hausa, English, Arabic, some French and understands
Igbo. His hobbies include; History, Sciences, Physics, Mathematics and to some
extent Medicine.
As a Judicial Officer for
about forty-two years, he served all over the Federal Republic of Nigeria in
various judicial capacities. His duty carried him to the north east and west,
now called geopolitical zones of the country. Therefore he always feels at home
anywhere in Nigeria.
about forty-two years, he served all over the Federal Republic of Nigeria in
various judicial capacities. His duty carried him to the north east and west,
now called geopolitical zones of the country. Therefore he always feels at home
anywhere in Nigeria.
On retirement, he
currently holds the following positions;
currently holds the following positions;
·
Member, National Council of State
Member, National Council of State
·
Judge, Administrative Tribunal of African
Development Bank
Judge, Administrative Tribunal of African
Development Bank
·
Chairman, Tripartite Committee on Minimum
Wage
Chairman, Tripartite Committee on Minimum
Wage
·
Chairman, Central Working Group of Nigeria,
vision 20:2020
Chairman, Central Working Group of Nigeria,
vision 20:2020
·
Chairman, Nigerian National Honours Award
Committee
Chairman, Nigerian National Honours Award
Committee
·
Chairman, Tripartite Committee on Minimum
Wage
Chairman, Tripartite Committee on Minimum
Wage
·
Member, Presidential Advisory Committee
Member, Presidential Advisory Committee
· President, Administrative Tribunal, African
Development Bank (AFDB)
Development Bank (AFDB)
·
Chairman, Institute for Oil & Gas Law
Chairman, Institute for Oil & Gas Law
·
Life Member, Body of Benchers
Life Member, Body of Benchers
·
Life Bencher, Honourable society of the
Inner Temple (where he was called to the English Bar in 1964).
Life Bencher, Honourable society of the
Inner Temple (where he was called to the English Bar in 1964).
Culled from – Legal Rights and Obligations Under Nigerian Law by Adedunmade Onibokun, published in honour of the Hon. Justice S.M.A Belgore GCON, CJN (RTD) on 17/1/17.