Anioma Mourns Passage Of Justice Oseji

By Patrick Ochei

It was indeed a black Tuesday in Anioma, Delta State and Nigeria at large. The entire country was in daze this morning (Tuesday) of September 28, 2021, as the saddest news of the year filtered in. It was a subtle announcement of the demise of a legal luminary and Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Samuel Chukwudumebi Oseji, only to the ears of the wise.

However, hours later, the news had spread to majority of ears, breaking hearts and drawing rivers of tears out of the eyes of many.

We lost our illustrious son. We lost our hope at the apex court of the nation. We lost a pride among known jurists.

Late Hon. Justice Samuel Chukwudumebi Oseji was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria just last year, and his appointment confirmed towards the end of the year 2020.

An elaborate Grand Reception was held in his honour on the 28th December, 2020, at his home town of Idumuje-Unor in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State. The who is who in Anioma and Delta State, including the number one citizen of the State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa were on ground to honour this illustrious rare breed and cerebral legal entity. It was a good opportunity to establish a new relationship with this man who was tipped to become one of the finest and cynosure of all eyes in our apex judicial system.

ALSO READ: Okowa Mourns Supreme Court Judge, Samuel Oseji

Less than a year of his elevation, the tragic has happened. This is the tale of Nigeria where collateral damages easily happen.

He didn’t die of Covid-19. He was just ill and surgery was carried out on him. At the end of the surgical operation, he was moved into ICU. When it was noticed that the worst might happen, he was billed to be flown out to a more advanced clime where life matters and where medical equipment are adequately and readily available for emergencies. Today, at 11am, he was to be flown abroad, but he couldn’t live to see that hour as he died earlier.

Several prominent Anioma leaders confirmed this news, including the Justice’s younger brother and former Provost of College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Dr. Ignatius Ezoem. He simply said it was devasting but to God should all praises go to. He added that everything humanly possible was done, and there was nothing more to do.

According to him, “Only what has not happened that its medicine could still be available”.

What a life! What a country! Rest in peace Dike Anioma, Odogwu Law. Good night Justice Oseji.