The Court of Appeal President, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) on Thursday paid glowing tribute to the late Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua.
Until her death on March 8, Justice Orji-Abadua was the presiding judge of the Benin Division of the Court of Appeal.
In her speech at a valedictory court session in Abuja Dongban-Mensem, said the late Justice Orji-Abadua was a jurist of impeccable character who had a very simple and humble nature.
Represented by by Justice Alao Barka, presiding justice, Abuja division, Dongban-Mensem described the deceased as a’ very supportive professional colleague.
” While at the court of appeal, Justice Orji-Abadua served at the Kaduna, Port-Harcourt, Owerri, Ekiti and Benin Divisions of the court.
“She became the presiding justice at the Ekiti and Benin before her demise.
” Justice Orji-Abadua was jurist of impeccable character who had a very simple and humble nature.
” His Lordship was in the service of the judiciary for 27 years, 16 of which were spent at the court of appeal ” she said.
She said that though Orij- Abadua had gone to meet the host of the heavens, “her contributions to the development of the law will remain ever green in our country “.
In his tribute, Fagbemi said the deceased was a legal luminary, whose wisdom, integrity and dedication to justice were not blemished.
According to him, the late jurist has no doubt, left an indelible mark on the jurisprudence.
“It is indeed safe to say that throughout her professional journey, Justice Orji-Abadua not only achieved brilliant success.
“But also served as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring legal professionals in her exceptional demonstration of the importance of integrity, diligence and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of justice.
” Her contributions to the judiciary, at the different levels of the Nigeria judicature, indeed stands as a testament to her exceptional legal prowess and unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law.
” As a justice of the court of appeal, she presided over countless criminal and civil appeals in which she delivered many landmark cases that reshaped and reformed legal precedents.
“Her judgments and legal pronouncements were also characterised by meticulous analysis of the facts of each case” he said.
While bidding Justice Orji-Abadua farewell, he said her life was a blessing and her memory would always be a treasure to behold
In their tribute, the body of senior advocates represented by Paul Usoro,SAN, the former NBA president, lamented the loss, saying that the deceased made a mark in a male dominated profession.
” Not long ago, the bench used to be a male dominated territory with so few if any gentlemen in skirts.
” My Lord was indeed one of those females who pierced that glass ceiling with her appointment as a judge of the high court of the FCT in 1997.
“And obviously, her diligence on that bench earned her the elevation to this immediate appellate court in 2008″ he said.
Also speaking, Mr Nosa Edo-Osagie, chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin branch, described the deceased as ‘ an apostle of justice.
” Hon. Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua had a successful legal practice; as an apostle of justice, she frowned against injustice of any sort and ensured that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done” he said.
Responding to all the tributes, Dr Benjamin Abadua, the deceased’s husband, thanked everyone present while expressing joy for the beautiful things said about his late wife.
NAN reports that the deceased will be buried on May 16 at her hometown in Ikeduru, Imo. (NAN)
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