Retired Justice Ahmed Lemu dies at 91
By KEMI KASUMU
The former Grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal in Niger State, Justice Ahmed Lemu (Rtd), is dead.
He died at the age of 91 at his base in Minna, Niger State State capital in the North Central Nigeria.
The death of the foremost Islamic cleric and jurist was announced by his son, Nurudden Lemu, via a post by his daughter, Maryam Lemu, on her verified Facebook handle, Maryam Lemu, in the early hours of Thursday December 24, 2020.
Nurudden, who announced on behalf of the family, said: “Inna lillahi wa inna liayhi raji’un.
“It is with sadness and reverence to Allah that we announce the passing away of our father, Dr. Justice Sheikh Ahmed Lemu OFR, in the early hours of this morning in Minna. Burial arrangements to be announced later.
“Wassalam, Nuruddeen Lemu, on behalf of the family.”
Justice Lemu headed the investigative committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 to review the violence that characterised the then presidential election.
To the post, illustrated with photographs of her father and mother, Aisha Lemu, who died couple of years ago, Maryam added: “It has been a privilege to be the daughter to these two amazing individuals. Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah.”
Dr. Shaikh Ahmed Lemu was born in Lemu (State of Niger), Nigeria, on 21/12/1929. He received his early education at the Quranic School in 1932, followed by the elementary school (1939), then the intermediate school (currently the Government College) in Lemu, from which he obtained his intermediate school certificate in 1948. Thereafter, he joined the School of Shari’a Law (currently the School of Arabic Studies) in Lemu from which he obtained Middle (1950) and High (1952) Teachers’ Certificate (Level Two) in Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, Shari’a Jurisdiction and General Education. In 1954, he went to the United Kingdom to study at London University’s School of African and Oriental Studies. He obtained the certificate of General Education (Advanced Level) in History, Arabic, Hausa and Persian Languages in 1961, and Bachelor’s Degree (Honors) in African and Oriental Studies in 1964.
Dr. Shaikh Ahmed Lemu served in the field of education for more than half a century, during which he undertook various teaching and educational responsibilities. He started as a teacher of Arabic language, English language and Islamic studies at the Government Secondary School in Bida between 1953-1960. In 1960, he became senior teacher of Arabic Language, Islamic Studies and Education, and supervisor at the School of Arabic Studies in Kano, then Director of the school and Deputy Director of Government Secondary Education in 1965. He became Dean of the Arabic Teachers’ College in 1966, Senior Inspector of Education in 1970 and Chief Inspector of Education for Sokoto State in North West Nigeria between 1971 – 1973. He also served as Technical Director (1974-1975) and Director of Educational Planning (1975-1976) in the State. In 2009, he was appointed Consultant at Fountain University in Osogbo, Nigeria.
In addition to his major role in teaching and education, Dr. Shaikh Ahmed Lemu has also served in the Judiciary, first as a Shar’ia judge at the Court of Appeals in the States of Sokoto and Niger (1976 – 1977) then as Chief Shar’ia Judge at the Court of Appeals in Niger State (1976 – 1991). Dr. Shaikh Ahmed Lemu has also made significant contributions towards official efforts pertaining to security, reconciliation and dialogue during security challenges in Northern Nigeria. He is a member of the Nigerian Council of Religions, the Presidential Council for Youth Development, the Presidential Experts Committee for National Security and various other national committees and councils.
His Eminence Dr. Shaikh Ahmed Lemu is a renowned Islamic scholar, known and respected by West African Muslims and throughout the Islamic world. He is a composed intellectual, a devout Muslim and an advocate of moderation, justice and open-mindedness. He is also a strong supporter of women’s rights. His relentless efforts to advance Islamic education, development and Da’wa (call to Islam) are evident from his publications, countless
lectures, seminars and classes, and active participation in national, regional and international Islamic conferences and events. He is a member of several international Islamic organizations worldwide, and author or editor of many books and school references which aim, along with his lecturers and classes, to promote and re-enforce the proper understanding of Islam and expand knowledge of the Islamic creed. He is also known for his deep involvement in Islamic humanitarian activities. He is the Founder and President of the Islamic Education Trust in Nigeria and a member of several other humanitarian societies and endowments that serve Muslims in his country.
Dr. Shaikh Ahmed Lemu’s immense contributions have earned him several prizes and accolades, including, among others, the Prize of Merit from the Government of Niger State in 1991; the Nigerian National Order by former Nigerian President Abdulsalami AbuBakrr in 1999 and former Nigerian President Obasanjo in 2001; Honorary Doctorate Degree from Uthman Danfodiyo University (1996); Honorary Doctorate Degree from Osogbo University (2011) and Honorary Doctorate Degree from Al-Hilal University (2013).
The King Faisal International Prize for Service to Islam for year 2014G (1435H) was awarded to Shaikh Dr. Ahmed Lemu, who was Chairman of the Council of Trustees at the Islamic Relief Commission Office, for the following reasons:
1. Shaikh Dr. Ahmed Lemu is a composed intellectual, a devout Muslim, and an advocate of moderation and open-mindedness. He is a member of several international Islamic organizations worldwide.
2. His efforts towards education, development and call to Islam are evident from his hundreds of lectures, seminars and classes.
3. He has authored several Islamic books and school references which fulfilled a significant part of the needs of the Nigerian community and served as important resources for many Nigerian Muslim generations, helping them to understand Islam and expand their knowledge of the Islamic creed.
4. He established a number of societies, schools and endowments such as the Islamic Endowments Society, which became one the most important institutions collaborating with the Islamic Bank for Development in the field of study scholarships in Nigeria.
5. He played a significant role in defending Muslim women’s tights. His efforts culminated in the establishment of the Union of Muslim Women’s societies in Nigeria, promotion of peaceful co-existence and fight against sectarian violence in that country.
6. He also established the Islamic Da’awa (Call) Institute to combat extremism.
7. He was awarded several national and international accolades and prizes for his services of Islam.
