A federal appellate judge has died as processes for his elevation to the Supreme Court commenced.

Judiciary sources told newsmen Justice Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh passed on Wednesday evening in his home town of Makurdi. He was 65.

Ikyegh was the president of the Port Harcourt division until he suddenly slumped before his family members and was promptly pronounced dead, sources said.

His death came weeks after political opposition in Ogun accused him of taking cash bribes to uphold the controversial reelection of Governor Dapo Abiodun. Mr. Ikyegh led the panel that upheld a lower tribunal decision, which was hinged largely on a technical claim that the opposition PDP described as ‘purported’ the initial certification of Mr Abiodun by electoral office INEC.