Gov. Ododo Commiserates As Kogi Judiciary Buries late Justice Adamu At His Odolu Hometown

His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Ododo, has asked the state, the judiciary and family of late Hon. Justice Yahaya Adamu whose death occured on Saturday to take Solace in God Almighty Whose ways can never be understood by humanity. 

The state's Chief Servant gave the admonition yesterday, when the remains of the late jurist were committed to mother earth at Odolu, his homework, in Igalamela-Odolu LGA of the state.

Upon entrance into the Odolu community, it looked gloomy, mournful and crowded by sympathisers when His Excellency, who was represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the state, Hon. Muizudeen Abdullah, SAN, along with the Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Josiah Majebi, who practically led all the state's Judges, Kadis, Judicial Service Commission members and all Courts' Management Boards and numerous staff of the Judiciary into the community. In toe too were staff of the Ministry of Justice, clerics, community leaders, men, women, old and young but all sorrowful and palpably pained as drawn faces and flowing tears were irresistible. 

Before the Janazah, the Governor was accompanied by the Grand Kadi of the state, Hon. Kadi Abdulkareem Aruwa, along with Justices Salisu Umar, Etsu Umar, Jibril Anaja and Kadi Muhammad Bello to offer the state's and judiciary's last prayers for the repose of the deceased.

Hon. Justice Adamu died at the age of 68, while still actively serving the state through the judiciary which he started from the old Benue state.

He was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Justice in 2018 after he had served several years as the Chief Registrar.

Accounts in the community was that Justice Adamu was notable for his humility, virtuousness, simplicity and philanthropy. 

Judiciary workers were led by their union Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Waniko, just as Magistrates, Area Court Judges all other professional staff of the Judicial Service Commission and other courts in the state registered their presence in paying last homage. 

"Alhaji Yahaya Adamu is therefore coming into this position with a wealth of experience. Your Excellency, it is my honour and privilege to present Alhaji Yahaya Adamu to be sworn-in as a Judge of the High Court of Kogi State" was the statement of the former Chief Judge of Kogi state, late Hon.  Justice Nasiru Ajanah, CON, after acknowledging Justice Adamu's astuteness, diligence and reliability for the state's High Court bench on the OCCASION OF THE 

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY of the late jurist at THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE in LOKOJA when he was sworn-in by His Excellency, former Governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on 4th November, 2019.

Justice Adamu had served as the Chief Registrar for six years without blemish, since 2013, before he was elevated to the Bench as a Judge of the High Court of Justice wgere he was serving until the occurrence of his death.

He was born on 15th January, 1964 and after completing his primary and secondary schools education, attended the University of Benin from 1984 to 1987 before he was called to Bar on the 11th May, 1989. He practiced briefly with the law firm of E. A. Haruna & Co. between 1989 and 1990 but subsequently rose through the ranks to become a Chief Magistrate in 2005 after joining the services of the Judiciary.

As a Magistrate, Justice Adamu was elected the Chairman of the Kogi State Branch of the Magistrates' Association of Nigeria (MAN) in 2006 serving only a term of two years only to allow progression. 

At a point, he was a member of the Judicial Service Commission Disciplinary Committee from the period between  2010 and 2012. 

He was appointed a Deputy Director, Personnel Management in 2010 and became the Deputy Chief Registrar, Planning, Research and Statistics just a year after. 

During this period, 2011-2012, he became the pioneer Managing Editor of the Kogi State Judiciary Bulletin and also a member of the Law Reform Committee of the High Court Justice. 

Before his demise, Justice Adamu attended various Conferences and seminars, both locally and internationally, and experiences gained had effect on adjudication in the the Obangede division of the state's High Court of Justice where he was serving before his passing.

Upon his passing, the state government had acknowledged his contribution to the administration of justice in the state. In an earlier message of condolence signed on behalf of the Government and people of Kogi State by Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communications. His Excellency, had described Hon. Justice Adamu as "a reputable voice in the temple of justice," whose "wealth of experience, wisdom, and dedication to fairness will be sorely missed". He had added "that Justice Adamu's legacy of service and commitment to justice will continue to inspire generations within the legal profession."

On its part, the Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area, in its condolence message personally signed by the Executive Chairman, Hon. (Barr.) Cosmas Ilemona Atabor, extolled the late jurist "as a figure of uncommon wisdom whose contributions significantly shaped the state's judicial system, anchored on fairness, integrity, and uprightness."

The Chairman further disclosed that Justice Adamu was an illustrious son of the LGA whose loss was "a significant setback, particularly for the people of the Local Government, given the late Justice's exemplary role and commitment to matters affecting the area" while also noting too that "although Justice Adamu will be greatly missed, his enduring legacy of equity, fairness, and principled service will remain indelible in the hearts of many."

Indeed, Justice Adamu's will be missed as the community has described his loss as a defining moment for the conflict of "goodness and cruelty by living beings" according to some elders and members of the community at the internment held immediately after the 2:00 pm  Muslim prayer.