Retired Supreme Court Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe Passes Away at 74
Ghana has lost a towering figure in its legal landscape with the passing of retired Supreme Court Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe. He died on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the age of 74, following a brief illness. His passing marks the end of a distinguished life devoted to pursuing justice, integrity, and the rule of law.
Justice Gbadegbe’s illustrious judicial career spanned more than three decades, earning him admiration and respect across Ghana’s legal and civic spheres. Known for his unwavering dedication to ethical conduct and his profound grasp of legal principles, he was regarded as a beacon of fairness and judicial integrity.
He began his service on the bench in 1989 as a High Court judge. His sharp intellect and reputation for impartiality quickly set him apart, paving the way for his elevation to the Court of Appeal in 1999. For a decade, he served with distinction on that court, before his appointment to the Supreme Court in 2009.
Justice Gbadegbe remained on the apex court until his retirement on December 8, 2020, after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. Throughout his tenure, he played a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s legal system, adjudicating on cases that had lasting national significance.
One of the defining moments of his career came when he was selected as one of the nine justices to sit on the panel for the historic 2012/2013 presidential election petition. The case was a critical test of Ghana’s democratic resilience and legal maturity, and Justice Gbadegbe’s measured contributions helped reinforce public confidence in the judiciary’s independence.
Among his colleagues, he was revered as a “stickler for procedure”—a judge deeply committed to due process and meticulous in his legal reasoning. His judicial philosophy emphasized fairness, clarity, and a profound respect for constitutionalism. He believed that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, and he carried that principle through every judgment he delivered.
Upon his retirement, the then Chief Justice, Kwasi Anin Yeboah, described him as a pillar of judicial excellence, saying, “Justice Gbadegbe served this country with tireless dedication and left an indelible mark on Ghana’s legal heritage.”
The news of his passing has sent ripples through the legal fraternity, with tributes pouring in from former colleagues, members of the bench and bar, and students he mentored throughout his career. Many have described his death as a profound loss not only to the judiciary but to the nation as a whole.
As the country mourns this legal luminary, plans are expected to be announced in the coming days for a befitting memorial to honour his life and service. Justice Nasiru Sulemana Gbadegbe leaves behind a legacy defined by wisdom, justice, and an unwavering devotion to the law—a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of Ghanaian jurists.
