THE Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has described the late Judge of Appeal Court, Justice Tom Shaibu Yakubu as an astute jurist with a reputation of honour who demonstrated humaneness and high principles in the performance of his duties while at the court of appeal.
Governor Bello stated this in Lokoja on Friday during a special court session held in honour of the late Justice Yakubu who died on the December, 24th 1019 at the age of 66 years.
The Governor in his tributes at the occasion said the deceased jurist has served diligently on the bench at the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, describing him as a man of deep learning and extraordinary insight who have contributed greatly to the development of the law and to the administration of justice in Nigeria.
While expressing his heartfelt to the family, community and friends of the late Justice, Governor Bello said “His lordship still had so much to offer but for his untimely passing, we are however glad that he left behind a legacy that will be long treasured by all who knew and loved him”
Also in his tributes , the Chief Judge of the state Justice Nasiru Ajanah urged people to always remember that there is the certainty of death and the brevity of life.
“A hundred years from today , all of us would have been dead and transited to the other side of creation. Time on earth is too short for our little wars and bickering. As long as it lies within our power as scriptures recommend let us live peacefully with all men.
“Then there is the futility of the relentless and reckless pursuit of materialism. We all have a rendezvous in eternity , we only pray that God will help us to accomplish our visions , dreams, purposes and destinies before our transition to the timelessness of eternity” he stated.
Justice Ajanah described the sudden death of late Justice Yakubu as a great loss to Kogi state and the nation at large, appealing to God almighty to grant him eternal rest.
The Nigerian Bar Association , Lokoja branch in their tributes read by the chairman of the branch Barrister Sam Owoyomi said the earth, Nigeria, Kogi State and the legal profession have lost one of their finest judge , described him as an ideal judge who was always impartial in the determination of cases before him.
“His powefull reasoning and decision in Zamfara appeal which later upheld by the supreme court has contributed positively to the political and jurisprudential landscape of the country” he added
