A former Judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague, Bola Ajibola, is dead.
The former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice died on Saturday at age 89.
A statement on Sunday by his eldest child, Segun Ajibola (SAN), said the respected jurist and founder of Crescent University, Abeokuta, died from an old age-related illness in a Lagos hospital.
“With very deep heart and gratitude to Almighty Allah, our dad, Prince Bola Ajibola, departed this world over midnight. May Almighty Allah bless him with Aljanah Firdaus,” the statement by his child read.
He was buried on Sunday, on the premises of the Islamic Mission for Africa,Abiola-way, Abeokuta, according to Islamic rites.
Dignitaries at the burial included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; former governor of Ogun State, Segun Osoba, and many others.
Reacting, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), described Ajibola as a “patriotic” Nigerian whose contributions to the advancement of humanity would outlive him.
“His contributions to the development of our legal system cannot be overstated…His patriotic inclinations, integrity and passion for service and advancement of humanity will continue to resonate after him,” Buhari said, according to a statement on Sunday, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
In his remarks, Osinbajo said the passing of the deceased brought him sadness.
“He was passionate about education. He sold all his assets to found IMA and Crescent University, Abeokuta,” he said.
The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, in a statement, acknowledged Ajibola’s important contributions to Nigeria’s political evolution and nation-building, the legal profession and international jurisprudence.
In the condolence message issued in Abuja by his media office, the President-elect said, “I received the news of the passing, on Sunday, of Prince Bola Ajibola, SAN, at 89, with profound sadness.
“The former Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and leader of the Bar was an eminent statesman and legal icon whose contributions to national progress and development will be written in gold. During his earthly sojourn, Prince Ajibola didn’t just serve his country with his gift of extraordinary brilliance as a lawyer, he served the world as a Judge of the International Court of Justice in The Hague and a member of its Permanent Court of Arbitration.”
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the late elder statesman left bold imprints on the study and practice of law both within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
Ogun State governor, Abiodun, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, described Ajibola’s death as “saddening, devastating, and the end of an era.”
“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,” Abiodun said.
Also, former governor and Senator-elect for Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, described Ajibola’s passing “as the demise of an icon and finest jurist.”
“As an alumnus of Baptist Boys High School, he was a beacon of pride and valour, a leading example for many of us while in school,” Daniel said.
Also, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association,Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), in a statement by the NBA Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, described the late Ajibola as “an elder statesman and an international icon and a selfless Nigerian” recalling that “as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice between 1985 and 1991, Prince Ajibola was reputed to never take home a salary, asking that same should be distributed to the coffers of the Federal Government, the NBA, and charitable/humanitarian organisations.”
In his condolence message, the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Sarafa Isola, said Ajibola served Nigeria with distinction, dignity, and honour.
“His tireless efforts in the promotion of the rule of law, human rights and justice were an inspiration to many,” he said.
Also, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu, noted that “the departed was one of our finest in terms of stellar contributions. Name it, he achieved them all.”
Also, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, in a statement, hailed the deceased for living a life committed to Islam and being an ambassador of the religion everywhere he went.
