A former Chief Justice (CJ) of Ghana, Justice E. K. Wiredu, has died on Thursday morning, January 31, 2008 after a short illness.

His career spans 43 years as a lawyer and judge.

The late Justice Wiredu was appointed CJ in July 2001 and held that position until 2003.

His appointed was however challenged on the grounds that he did not serve the required number of years as a lawyer before becoming a judge.

He was also noted for entering a plea of not guilty for former president Rawlings over his role in the May 15, 1979 abortive coup after Rawlings had pleaded guilty to the charges.

Late Justice Wiredu was appointed to the High Court in 1969 and became an Appeal Court Judge in 1980. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1990 and became Chief Justice in 2001.

In a tribute to his father on Joy News, a son, Edgar Wiredu said he will miss him very much. He said the Late Judge was a good father who always accepted his faults when they are pointed out to him.