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Remains of the former Attorney-General of the Federation and ex-Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, were on Sunday interred at the Islamic Mission for Africa (IMA), Abiola Way in Abeokuta.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Governor of Ogun, Olusegun Osoba and Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheik Sa’dallah Bamgbola, were among eminent dignitaries who paid last respect to the late former Attorney-General.
Ajibola, also a former Jurist of International Court at Hague, Netherlands, died in the early hours of Sunday at 89.
The Janazah prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheik Sa’dallah Bamgbola.
In a sermon at the internment, the Mudir Morkaz Zulikha, Dr Khidir Mustapha, said that it was important for every human being to live a righteous life and be conscious of eternity.
Mustapha, however, extolled the virtues of the late former Jurist of International Court at Hague.
He described the deceased as a peacemaker who contributed immensely to the development of Ogun and the country in general.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor of Ogun, Noimot Salako- Oyedele; the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olusina Ogungbade among other top state government functionaries.
Buhari mourns outstanding Jurist, Bola Ajibola
President Muhammadu Buhari condoled with the family of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, who passed on at 89.
In a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, on Sunday in Abuja Buhari commiserated with the legal community in Nigeria and worldwide over the death of the former minister.
He noted that the outstanding lawyer and eminent Jurist used his God given knowledge, intellect and talent to advocate for justice, fairness and equity in all his undertakings within and outside Nigeria.
The legendary arbitrator was at different times, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (1984-1985), President, The World Association of Judges, Chairman, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria and President, World Bank Administrative Tribunal among other notable accomplishments.
Buhari maintained that the late Ajibola, having risen to the pinnacle of his career, took his brilliance in law practice to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, where he served meritoriously between 1991 and 1994.
He was also the Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, 1999 to 2002.
“His contributions to the development of our legal system cannot be overstated, serving as the Attorney General and Minister for Justice at a critical period in the nation’s history.
”His patriotic inclinations, integrity and passion for service and advancement of humanity will continue to resonate after him,” the President said.
The president also sympathised with the government and people of Ogun as they continue to mourn this illustrious citizen for the educational and social development he brought to his community and environs.
He prayed that the Almighty would grant him Aljannah.
Gov. Abiodun commiserates with Buhari, Obasanjo, NBA over Bola Ajibola’s death
Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari and the nation’s judiciary on the death of the former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola.
Ajibola passed on early Sunday at the age of 89.
This is contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, in Abeokuta.
Abiodun described Ajibola’s death as a big loss to the judiciary, saying his legacies in the judiciary, philanthropy and the educational development would never be forgotten.
The governor also commiserated with the Owu Royal Family of the former minister of justice, his friends, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as members of the Baptist Boys’ High School Old Students Association.
He described the legal icon’s death as “saddening, devastating and the end of an era.”
He added that the death of the illustrious son of the state, a celebrated jurist and judicial activist, public intellectual and elder statesman was a severe blow to everyone who knew him.
“Words can not adequately convey my heartfelt sorrow over Papa’s death, for he was a kind and beautiful soul who spread love to all who encountered him,” he said.
The governor recalled that Ajibola, after serving as President of the Nigerian Bar Association, also served as the nation’s number one Law officer, attorney-general and minister of justice.
He noted that Ajibola also answered the call of higher duties at the International Court of Justice, Hague, Netherlands.
“He was a jewel of the Law Profession and an accomplished judicial officer of prodigious hue. Baba was a go-getter who delivered on any assignment committed to his hands because of his belief that service should always come first.
“Besides, he was a great religious influencer and philanthropist who established the faith-based Crescent University in his hometown, Abeokuta,” he said.
The governor, however, urged the Olowu of Owu, Oba Saka Matemilola, the Olowu-in-Council, sons and daughters of the Ajibola lineage and the entire Gbadela Royal Dynasty of Owu to be consoled by the fact that the deceased selflessly served God, humanity during his impactful life.
“On behalf of the government and people of Ogun State, I commiserate with the immediate family of the deceased on this very huge loss.
“May the Almighty Allah grant the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Abiodun said.
Born on March 22, 1934 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Ajibola attended Baptist Boys’ High School, Oke Saje, Abeokuta and University of London.
He was the president of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) between 1984 and 1985.
Ajibola was the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria from 1985 to 1991 and a Judge of the International Court of Justice, Hague, Netherlands, from 1991 to 1994.
He was appointed the Nigeria High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2002.