PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has offered condolences to the government and people of Oyo State over the passing of a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide, SAN.
In a statement signed by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the President, Femi Adesina on Tuesday in Abuja, the President condoled with family members, state and judiciary over the demise of the astute personality, who meritoriously served the nation in many capacities including as Minister of Education in the First Republic, Minister of Justice and Attorney General in the Second Republic, and member of Judicial Systems Sub-committee of the Constitutional Drafting Committee of 1975-1977.
“The President joins the Olubadan of Ibadan Court, Nigerian Bar Association and entire Judiciary in mourning the legal luminary, affirming that he used his rich experience and knowledge in serving the country and humanity.
“President Buhari prays that the almighty God will grant the departed eternal rest, and comfort his family”, Adesina stated.
The legal icon and former Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, aged 88, died on Tuesday.
In the same vein, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Tuesday, mourned the death of Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN, describing him as an a brilliant advocate and an icon of the legal profession.
In a statement signed by its National Assistant Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, the late Chief Akinjide added not only glamour to the legal profession but also value adding that the legal profession including scholars benefited immensely from the legal luminary’s wealth of experience and knowledge particularly during his tenure as the NBA President from 1970 to 1973, and beyond.
“It is with grave regret that the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro, SAN received the news of the passing of Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN – an icon of the legal profession and a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association. “Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN passed away in the early hours of today, Tuesday, the 21st day of April, 2020.
“Chief Akinjide, SAN was called to the English Bar in 1955 and the Nigerian Bar subsequently.
“He was steeped in the ethics of the Bar, a brilliant advocate – one of the finest of the legal profession. His place in the history of the Nigerian legal profession is well secured.
“Chief Richard Akinjide was a renowned leader of politics and thoughts. He was a Federal Minister of Education in the First Republic and he was Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister for Justice in the Second Republic.
“Chief Akinjide’s contributions to the Bar as President from 1970 to 1973 were
immense. And until his demise, he was always on hand as the oldest member of
the exclusive ‘Former NBA Presidents Group’ that the NBA President, Mr. Paul
Usoro, SAN often consulted on important issues concerning the legal profession.
Chief Akinjide would be sorely missed.
“The NBA is committed to supporting the family of the Chief Richard Akinjide as they plan befitting burial activities for the late Attorney General of the Federation, as we have no doubt that Chief Richard Akinjide lived a fulfilled and long life.
“On behalf of the National Officers
and members of the Nigerian Bar Association, the NBA President prays for the
peaceful repose of the soul of Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN and for the Almighty
God to give his family, friends and members of the Bar the fortitude to bear
this irreparable loss”, the statement read.