From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
At a solemn ceremony on Thursday in Abuja, the legal community paid glowing tribute to late Justice Theresa Ngolika Orji-Abadua, the presiding justice of the Benin division of the Court of Appeal, who died at the age of 64.
Led by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Chairman Body of Benchers (BOB), Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN); the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Mr Paul Usoro (SAN), and other senior lawyers described the late Justice Orji-Abadua as “a jurist of impeachable character who had a very simple and humble nature,” whose contribution to the development of the law will continue to shape the nation’s legal jurisprudence.
Justice Dongban-Mensem, who gave a brief history of her late colleague, said she would be deeply missed by the legal profession, her immediate family, and staff and friends of the Court of Appeal.
In his tribute, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, enjoined the legal community to honour the memory of the late Justice Orji-Abadua by upholding her cherished principles of justice, equity, fairness, and integrity. He described the late jurist as “a legal luminary, whose wisdom, integrity, and dedication to justice have no doubt, left an indelible mark on our national jurisprudence.”
“As we the living continue to navigate the jurisprudential challenges ahead, we will carry forward her unique commitment, preserving her memory through our actions and the principles she so steadfastly stood for,” Fagbemi stated.
“Indeed, for a life as consummate and accomplished as that of the Honourable Justice Theresa Ngolika Orji-Abadua, it is impossible to chronicle all the good things we want to say about or concerning our beloved jurist in an occasion of two hours like this.”
Fagbemi said throughout her professional journey, she 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 different levels of the Nigerian judicature, indeed stand as a testament to her exceptional legal prowess and unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law,” Fagbemi stated.
Both the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Awomolo, SAN, and that of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Paul Usoro, SAN, took turns in pouring encomiums on the late jurist as a quintessential jurist who traversed the length and breadth of the nation’s judicature without blemishes.
Other senior lawyers at the valedictory session were former Attorney General of Imo State, Chukwuma-MaChukwu Ume (SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), and Chief Chris Uche (SAN), among others.
Born on October 15, 1959, in Onitsha, Anambra State, the late Justice Orji-Abadua commenced her legal career in 1984 as an NYSC state counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Yola, Adamawa state, and rose to the bench of the Court of Appeal on February 15, 2008. She died on March 8, 2024, while in active service.