by ‘Jola Sotubo

The death of erstwhile Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Chukwudifu Oputa has caused grief around the country but for his family, that grief is closer to home.

His son, the controversial musician, Charles “Charly Boy” Oputa has opened up on his previously turbulent relationship with his father and the last days he spent on earth which saw a bond develop between them.

He disclosed this in an interview with Vanguard. Excerpts below:

What are you going to miss most about your father?

For the past 25 years, we bonded and have come to understand each other. We discussed anything under the sun. I am proud to have had a father like him. What I am going to miss most about him is the companionship that we enjoyed with each other. It came to a point where I didn’t remember I have a mother.

How would his demise affect your lifestyle as the eldest son ?

You should direct that question to my mother because she has lived with her late husband for almost 70 years. But I started enjoying my relationship with my father about 30 years ago. And that was after he decided to give me the kind of respect I deserved from him. Initially he thought I took a wrong step in life.

But after he saw my works, and what I represent, he had no choice than to sheathe his sword. I would say that there is no great difference between my father and myself in terms of our philosophies and approach to life.

Did your father tell you anything before he passed on?

He was just trying to tell me something about two hours before he passed on. I went to visit him in the hospital where he was on admission because for some days he wasn’t eating very well. I insisted to feed him that morning, and I pleaded that he should corporate with me. It was then he said, he wanted to apologise to me.’Apologise for what! I queried him?

He replied me saying, given the nature of his sickness, and its complication, he’s sorry for everything. But when I cautioned him, he said, since he was apologising, I wouldn’t accept it, that I would have to get an appeal. It was like a joke between father and son. Later, I told him, I was going to take my bath upstairs. And within 2 hours while I was away, he gave up the ghost. That was how it happened.

How would you describe the life he lived?

He was not too different from Charly Boy. He was a book warm; philosopher, poet and legal luminary. While he wore suits and ties, I dressed like a mad man. That’s the only difference between him and myself. But we think alike and have the same approach to life. That’s why we were able to bond.

While you were with your father, what was his opinion about the state of the nation?

I could remember about three weeks ago, while I was in my sitting room watching television with him. I raised an issue, wondering whether they would ever get anything right in this country. And he responded that “an average Nigerian is incapable of deep thought.”