Valedictory Court Session for Justice Obaseki holds in Benin City

A valedictory court session in honour of the first Bini indigene
to become a Supreme Court Justice, Late Retired Justice Andrews
Otutu Obaseki, held on Thursday at the High Court of Justice in
Benin City, Edo State.

The session attracted legal luminaries from across the country,
who gathered to pay their last respects to the foremost jurist who
participated in a total of 658 judgements while at the apex
court.

Declaring the court session open, Chief Judge of Edo State,
Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, who was represented by Justice Ikpomwonba
Ehigiamusoe, recounted landmark judgements of the late justice and
extolled his sagacity on the bench.

“He was a man of great intellect and wisdom, a passionate and
erudite icon of the bench, among the finest and the best. His
lordship will always be remembered for his deep knowledge of the
law and as an advocate of morality, integrity, excellence and a
strong defender of the rule of law,” Justice Ikponmwen said.

In their tributes, Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice
Walter Onnoghen, who was represented by Justice Ejembi Eko,
Attorney General of Edo State, Professor Yinka Omoregbe, and the
Chairman Nigeria Bar Association, Edo State chapter, Mr. Ede
Asenoguan, all spoke glowingly of the man, Andrews Otutu Obaseki.
They described him as a jurist par-excellence and a legal icon who
had passion for justice and fairness, evidenced in his landmark
judgements.

The nephew of the deceased and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin
Obaseki, said he was taught the value of hard work by his late
uncle, and as a way to sustain the legacy he left behind, he would
strengthen the state judiciary to play its role in the development
of the state.

“I will ensure we strengthen the judiciary to play the role it
ought to play in the society. I understand the implication of not
having a good judiciary, where judges are not paid and work in an
environment that is not conducive to work, such a system will
affect the dispensation of justice,” he said

Obaseki assured the judiciary that his administration
understands the importance of the rule of law and justice in the
society and would ensure the judiciary receives the necessary
support to enable it dispense justice.

Recounting his experience under his late uncle, Governor Obaseki
said he was a child of the judiciary as he had the privilege and
rare opportunity to grow under the tutelage of the late Andrews
Otutu Obaseki, with whom he attended court sessions.

“He has instilled great virtues and values in us. He stood for
the truth and represented the truth, which does not change. He was
a man of integrity, and we carried ourselves as such. He taught us
simplicity and humility and fairness, when you are wrong, you are
wrong.”

To allow for the removal of Late Justice Obaseki’s remains from
the High Court well, a Motion on Notice was moved by the Edo State
Attorney General, Professor Yinka Omoregbe, and Chief Judge of the
State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen ruled in favour of the motion on
notice.

A valedictory court session in honour of the first Bini indigene
to become a Supreme Court Justice, Late Retired Justice Andrews
Otutu Obaseki, held on Thursday at the High Court of Justice in
Benin City, Edo State.

The session attracted legal luminaries from across the country,
who gathered to pay their last respects to the foremost jurist who
participated in a total of 658 judgements while at the apex
court.

Declaring the court session open, Chief Judge of Edo State,
Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, who was represented by Justice Ikpomwonba
Ehigiamusoe, recounted landmark judgements of the late justice and
extolled his sagacity on the bench.

“He was a man of great intellect and wisdom, a passionate and
erudite icon of the bench, among the finest and the best. His
lordship will always be remembered for his deep knowledge of the
law and as an advocate of morality, integrity, excellence and a
strong defender of the rule of law,” Justice Ikponmwen said.

In their tributes, Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice
Walter Onnoghen, who was represented by Justice Ejembi Eko,
Attorney General of Edo State, Professor Yinka Omoregbe, and the
Chairman Nigeria Bar Association, Edo State chapter, Mr. Ede
Asenoguan, all spoke glowingly of the man, Andrews Otutu Obaseki.
They described him as a jurist par-excellence and a legal icon who
had passion for justice and fairness, evidenced in his landmark
judgements.

The nephew of the deceased and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin
Obaseki, said he was taught the value of hard work by his late
uncle, and as a way to sustain the legacy he left behind, he would
strengthen the state judiciary to play its role in the development
of the state.

“I will ensure we strengthen the judiciary to play the role it
ought to play in the society. I understand the implication of not
having a good judiciary, where judges are not paid and work in an
environment that is not conducive to work, such a system will
affect the dispensation of justice,” he said

Obaseki assured the judiciary that his administration
understands the importance of the rule of law and justice in the
society and would ensure the judiciary receives the necessary
support to enable it dispense justice.

Recounting his experience under his late uncle, Governor Obaseki
said he was a child of the judiciary as he had the privilege and
rare opportunity to grow under the tutelage of the late Andrews
Otutu Obaseki, with whom he attended court sessions.

“He has instilled great virtues and values in us. He stood for
the truth and represented the truth, which does not change. He was
a man of integrity, and we carried ourselves as such. He taught us
simplicity and humility and fairness, when you are wrong, you are
wrong.”

To allow for the removal of Late Justice Obaseki’s remains from
the High Court well, a Motion on Notice was moved by the Edo State
Attorney General, Professor Yinka Omoregbe, and Chief Judge of the
State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen ruled in favour of the motion on
notice.