NAN-H-63
Tributes
By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan, Feb. 15, 2017 (NAN) Tributes poured in for the late legal icon, Chief Bandele Aiku, at the special court session organised by the Oyo State Judiciary on Wednesday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Aiku, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), died on Aug. 31 at 80 years.
Speaking at the forum, the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola, described Aiku’s death as painful, adding, however, that the judiciary was happy that he lived a righteous and fulfilled life.
Abimbola also described Aiku as one “ sober in language, temperate in reaction, philosophical and mostly an historian.’’
“Let us beat the drums to speak mournfully of this legal Olympus and good adviser, because when he advises, you listen and you benefit by it.
“ Aiku, before his demise, was the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, the highest policy making body of the law profession in Nigeria and was a good advocate, administrator and a great leader.
“His words will forever echo in my ears as he kept telling me a lot about life and living, reputation and its management; relaxation but with limits.
“ Although we shall shed tears more than you see us shed , but we have solace in the fact that he had fought a good fight and finished his course and we have solace in his achievements,’’ he said.
Mr Seun Abimbola, the Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said that the contribution of Aiku would forever be remembered in the legal profession.
Abimbola urged the Bar to carry on with the legacy left behind by the late legal icon.
Mr Bolanle Ajomole (SAN), who spoke on behalf of the Body of Benchers, described Aiku as a personality who adhered to the principles of the law profession and never deviated from its ethics.
Ajomole, who described the late legal icon as a man, who “ saw and conquered,’’ prayed for the family of the deceased.
Mr Abubakar Mamud, the National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said the bar would take proper steps to immortalise Aiku.
Speaking on behalf of the Aiku family, Mrs Omolola Dabiri, thanked the Oyo State judiciary for the respect and honour accorded with the organisation of the session.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dignitaries at the occasion included Ondo State governor-elect, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Mrs Folake Solanke (SAN) and Chief Bolaji Ayomide (SAN).
SYS/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)