The High Court of Oyo State, on Monday, held a special court session in honour of the late Ondo State Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akeredolu died in the early hours of Dec. 27, 2023, at a German hospital where he was receiving treatment for a protracted illness.
in her tribute, the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, described Akeredolu as a passionate and courageous leader as well as a devoted Christian.
Yerima also described him as a great man who lived a great and impactful life.
“Today, we mourn a great man, but we also delight in the cherished memories of our beloved ‘Aketi’ because we know his legacy lives on.
“To the family, I pray that God grants you the strength to bear this irreparable loss. I give you words of comfort from 2 Timothy 4: 7-8).
“I can visualise Aketi saying that he had fought a good fight of faith; so, I encourage all to rejoice that he has gone to rest and will receive his reward from God,” Yerima said.
The chief judge said that Akeredolu was an Ibadan man in every sense.
The Attorney-General of the federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), described the deceased as a giant who was at home with people of all classes and ages.
Fagbemi said that Akeredolu was fearless and a defender of truth and the masses.
“His persona commanded respect, his death is a blow to the entire legal profession and the NBA, as we are indeed diminished by it.
“Truly, I grieved at the news of your demise, but surely, it remains a grief laced with beautiful memories of satisfaction, contentment and gratitude,” Fagbemi said.
The representative of the Body of Benchers, Mr Dele Adesina (SAN), said that Akeredolu served the bar, humanity and nation.
Adesina described Akeredolu as pragmatic, decisive and a great defender of the rule of law.
According to him, the late governor paid less attention to titles and lived a life of humility.
“He left a lot of messages especially for the leaders of this country.
“He was a leader who was prepared to lay his life for others,” he said.
The representative of the body of SANs, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), described the deceased as a gem, brother, friend, father and distinguished statesman, who made an indelible mark.
“We cannot, in one day, fully describe the kind of person Arakunrin Akeredolu was.
“His absence is being deeply felt already and his presence greatly missed,” Akintola said.
On behalf of the Akeredolu Family, the late governor’s daughter, Mrs Yejide Runsewe, thanked Oyo State Judiciary for the honour given to her father. (NAN)
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