By David Owei, Yenagoa.

Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, along with the state Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), and other personalities have poured encomiums on the late Justice Stanley Shenko Alagoa, describing him as one of the best justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who spoke at a special valedictory session held at the court of the Chief Judge in Yenagoa at the weekend, said there were a lot of positive lessons to learn from the exemplary life of the late Justice of the Supreme Court.

He eulogized Justice Alagoa as an incorruptible judge, emphasizing that his judicial pronouncements and judgements would be quoted for as long as justice system remains in Nigeria, and called on his family to take solace in his worthy legacy.

His words: “There are two sets of people in the world – those who left their shoes dirty, and those who left theirs clean. The late Justice Alagoa is of the latter group.

“Alagoa was a man of integrity. He condemned corrupt politicians as a challenge to the Nigerian Justice System. It is not how long a man live, but how well.

“Justice Alagoa has taught everyone in Nigeria a lesson; His pronouncements and judgements will be quoted as long as the justice system remains. Let us immortalize him by promoting what he represented.”

In her remarks, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Abrakasa-Ayemieye, pointed out that the late Justice Alagoa was the first Bayelsan to climb to the Supreme Court of Nigeria and did so much in contributing towards the development of the country’s legal jurisprudence.

Justice Ayemieye, who described Alagoa as one of the finest jurists at the Supreme Court, explained that he was a man of integrity, whose notable contributions to the growth of the Nigerian justice delivery system would not be easily forgotten.

She, however, used the opportunity to remind the living that they came from God and shall return to Him in due time, stressing that everyone shall give account of him or herself at an appointed time.

On his part, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), said “it is evident from from his biography that Justice Alagoa was a diligent judge who rose through the ranks to the pinnacle of his illustrious career at the Supreme Court,” and deserved the honour of being given a befitting funeral.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch, Mr. Somina Johnbull, noted that the deceased who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1974, describing him as an exemplary ambassador of the state judiciary having been one of the three judges from Bayelsa that ascended to the Supreme Court.

Other dignitaries present at the session were retired Justice Francis Tabai; the Chief Judge of Rivers State represented by Justice A. Victor; the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, retired Justice Margaret Akpomiemie, the Head of Service, Mrs Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama, amongst others.

In a related development, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, at the weekend, also led a delegation of political leaders and stakeholders of Bayelsa West to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late His Royal Majesty, King Joshua Igbagara, the paramount ruler of Ibeni -Oyiakiri Kingdom in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at the Biogbolo residence of the departed first class traditional ruler, the Deputy Governor noted that the Sagbama Area, Bayelsa West, and by extension, the entire state and Nigeria had lost a great leader who positively impacted so many lives

He, however, pointed out that “for the fact that the late King Igbagara lived for about 90 years, his departure should be seen as a heroic incident that calls for celebration having exceeded the biblical age benchmark of 70 years.”

While assuring the Igbagara family of government’s support in the burial of the one-time Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, enjoined them and the entire Ibeni-Oyiakiri clan to draw strength from the good life their father and king had lived.

Responding on behalf of the family, the first son of the deceased, Prince Austin Igbagara, expressed gratitude to the Deputy Governor and the political leaders and stakeholders for condoling with them in their trying moment.

Prince Igbagara, who disclosed that the monarch died in Lagos after a brief illness, promised the Bayelsa West delegation that the family would officially inform them when a date is fixed for the funeral of their departed father.

The delegation had Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties (Bayelsa West), Mr. Michael Magbisa, and his tourism counterpart, Mr John Ala: the Chairman of Sagbama Local Government, Mrs. Alice Tangi-Allen; and chieftains of the PDP, Hon. Fyneman Wilson, Dr. O.O. Osusu; Engineer Numupre Wills; Chief Victor Okubonanabo, the Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Chief Lambert Ototo, among others.