UGHELLI/Nigeria: Nigerians have been admonished to imbibe Christian virtue of contentment, obey God’s commandments and show brotherly love to one another in order to reduce ills bedevilling the society.
The Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro gave the advice at the valedictory court session in honour of late Justice Michael Eyaruoma Akpiroroh JCA (rtd) at the High Court of Justice, Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State.
At the session which attracted legal luminaries from the Bench and Bar, Justice Umukoro enjoined host of sympathizers who thronged the court to pay their last respect, to emulate the humility and respect of the late Jurist to his superiors, noting that such qualities accounted largely to the appointment of Justice Akpiroroh as member of the National Judicial Council (NJC), years after his retirement.
In retrospect, the Chief Judge made references to the late Jurist landmark judgements, particularly in Abalogu v. S. P. D. C Ltd. (2003) NWLR (Pt. 827 ) 309 where the Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the trial Judge to the effect that contract of service was sacrosanct between employer and employee.
While encouraging the family to take solace in the fact that their late Patriarch use his relative long life in rendering selfless service to humanity, the Chief Judicial Officer of the State advised all present at the ceremony to build on the legacy left behind by the eminent Jurist, even as he reminded all that ones life does not consist in the abundance of things he possess.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor described late Justice Akpiroroh as a renowned Jurist, philanthropist, devout Christian, an epitome of honesty and integrity who made government and people of the State proud due to his sound judgements that were affirmed by the Supreme Court.
The Commissioner who was represented by the acting solicitor general and functioning permanent secretary, Ministry of Justice Mr Danial Momah stated that the sad news of the late octogenarian came to them as shock, asserting that he displayed high degree of integrity and intelligence throughout his life career as a Judicial Officer.
Eulogising late Justice Akpiroroh, Chief T. J. Okpoko SAN, and chairman the Nigerian Bar Association, Ughelli branch J. A. Opete affirmed that he was a man who spent greater part of his life in the court, pointing out that he left a legacy worthy of emulation.
Late Justice Michael Eyaruoma Akpiroroh who passed away in December 19, 2018, was the first Legal Practitioner to set up a Law firm in Ughelli. The octogenarian began his judicial career in 1969 as Magistrate, and in 1980 he rose to the rank of Chief Magistrate. Justice Akpiroroh was later appointed Chief Registrar of the Bendel State High Court in 1981 before he was elevated to the High Court bench, and was posted to the Oleh Judicial Division as the first High Court Judge there. In 1999, he was elevated to the Court of Appeal where he served until he retired in 2004.
