By Onome Oghenetega
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and his predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, have described the death of the state former Attorney-General and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dafe Jude Akpedeye, as a great loss.
Akpedeye, a renowned lawyer from Uwheru in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state, died on Monday after an alleged protracted illness at the age of 59.
He died at a Lagos hospital.
The late respected banking lawyer was served as the Attorney-General and commissioner for Justice in Delta under the first term of former Governor Uduaghan between 2007 to 2009.
Reacting to Akpedeye’s passage, Governor Okowa said he was deeply saddened by the death of the Uwheru-born legal practitioner for his contribution to the development of Nigeria and international legal education.
According to a statement issued by Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Tuesday, said the late Akpedeye was a “thoroughbred professional” whose contributions to society would be indelible.
The governor commiserated with the people of Ughelli North Local Government, Uwheru community in particular and Nigerian Bar Association over the passing of the renowned lawyer.
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He noted that Akpedeye was a national and international lawyer who made invaluable contributions to the development of legal education and practice as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and as a law teacher at Delta State University.
The statement quoted Okowa saying “On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a gentleman and thoroughbred professional, Dafe Akpedeye SAN, who reportedly died on Monday.
“The news of his death came to me as a shock and I send my heartfelt condolences to the family, the people of Ughelli North, the Nigerian Bar Association and Delta State University on the passing of the renowned statesman and top-notch lawyer.
“He was a gentleman and brilliant lawyer of international acclaim, who distinguished himself in the service of his people and in the private and public sectors.
“In acknowledgement of Akpedeye’s enormous contributions in law practice, he was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2004 and was recognised by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) in 2014.”
On his part, former Governor Uduaghan who described his former Commissioner for Justice as one of the best brains he came across as a governor, expressed great regret for the passage of the senior lawyer.
Uduaghan, in a statement personally signed by him on Tuesday, revealed that the late Akpedeye was instrumental for the formulation of the drafting and publication, amongst other things, the first edition of the Annotated Laws of Delta State.
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The former governor stated further that the country has loss one of its best and fine legal minds who meaningfully contributed to the development society and humanity.
“In my eight years as Governor of Delta State, I had the privilege of meeting and working with some of the finest minds, men and women, from diverse fields of endeavour.
“One of them that stood out was Dafe Jude Akpedeye, OFR, SAN, FCIArb., former Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Delta State. Dafe Jude Akpedeye, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and one of the best lawyers in investment banking and corporate finance.
“Sadly, I got the news yesterday that Dafe Akpedeye, OFR, has gone to meet his creator. I am immensely saddened and pained by his death.
“In my first term as Governor of Delta State, I he worked with me as Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice from 2007 to 2009, during which time he helped to formulate the drafting and publication, amongst other things, the first edition of the Annotated Laws of Delta State, the first of its kind in the West African region.
“With his rich pedigree in investment banking, Mr. Akpedeye played a crucial role in my administration’s successful effort in partnering with and attracting private sector investments to Delta State.
“As Attorney General, he was dedicated, committed to his job and loved Delta State. And as a private practitioner before and after he served as Commissioner of Justice, he was brilliant, inventive and did his job with integrity. His sterling qualities and accomplishments are attested to by the fact that he attained the peak of legal practice in 2004 when he was conferred with the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and was recognised by the Federal Government with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2014”, he added.
Okowa and Uduaghan prayed to God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends and members of the legal profession he left to bear the loss.
