…says ex-ICJ judge’s death marks end of an era
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria, Prince Olasodun Adesumbo Bola Ajibola.
Ajibola, a former Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), The Hague, died in the early hours of Sunday in his Abeokuta, Ogun State home, according to a statement by his eldest child, Segun Ajibola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). He was aged 89.
Governor Abiodun, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Sunday in Abeokuta, also commiserated with Nigeria’s judiciary, the family of the late jurist, the Owu Royal Family, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and members of the Baptist Boys’ High School Old Students Association.
He described the death of the Owu-born Prince and legal icon as saddening, devastating, a big loss to the judiciary, and the end of an era, saying the late jurist’s legacies in the judiciary, philanthropy and the educational development of Nigeria would never be forgotten.
“The death of this illustrious son of Ogun State, a celebrated jurist and judicial activist, public intellectual and elder statesman, is a severe blow to all of us who knew him,” Abiodun said.
“Words cannot 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 said the late Prince Ajibola 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,” the governor said.
“Besides, he was a great religious influencer and philanthropist who established the faith-based Crescent University in his hometown, Abeokuta.
“He not only supported but funded some other altruistic projects and promoted research and scholarship through his establishment of an Islamic co-educational institution, Crescent University, in Nigeria in 2005, and he served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN). He was also the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom from 1999 to 2002,” he said.
Abiodun urged the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Prof) Saka Matemilola, Otileta VII, 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 served God and humanity selflessly and fervently during his impactful life on earth.
“On behalf of the government and people of Ogun State, I commiserate with the immediate family of the deceased on this very huge loss. I also commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari on the loss which signifies the dwindling class of sages in the country. I condole with his bosom friend, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and all alumni of BBHS over the demise of a dependable ally and a loyal schoolmate,” Abiodun said.
“May the Almighty Allah grant the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he prayed.
Born into the Owu Royal Family of Oba Abdul-Salam Ajibola Gbadela II on March 22, 1934, in Owu, near Abeokuta, Prince Ajibola attended Owu Baptist Day School and Baptist Boys’ High School in Abeokuta between 1942 and 1955. Between 1959 and 1962, he attended the Holborn College of Law, University of London, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Law. He was thereafter called to the English Bar at the Lincoln’s Inn in 1962, but, however, returned to Nigeria to practise.
The late Prince Ajibola served as president of the Nigerian Bar Association (1984-1985), Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria (1985-1991), a Judge of the International Court of Justice (1991-1994), and High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom (1999-2002). He was also one of five commissioners on the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission set up through the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
He would be buried later on Sunday (today) in Abeokuta according to Islamic rites.
