AGUMA, SAN: PASSAGE OF A LEGAL ICON
For the Nigerian Bar and the people of Rivers State, a huge vacuum has been created, with the suddemise of a member of the Inner Bar, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Rivers State, Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN at a London Hospital on Friday, August 10, 2018. Many without reservation, attested to his brilliance, amazing sense of responsibility, uncommon passion, loyalty, courage, and dedication in his service to his State and the Bar. He could be described as having been born with a silver spoon, yet Chinwe Aguma overlooked his pristine pedigree, and studiously worked his way up the professional ladder to the pinnacle, receiving the well deserved honour of senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2015. That he passed on at age 57, at the height of his career, in his most productive years, is saddening. His footprints have, however, been written on the sands of time. THIS DAY LAWYER in this Special Edition, dedicates a compendium of Tributes to his memory.
The Life of Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN
Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, was born on the 21st of April, 1961,
to Chief Emmanuel Aguma KSC, former Federal Minister of State for Agriculture and Dame Hannah Aguma JP, the first son of this distinguished community leader. Chinwe as he was known to family and close friends, was very happily married to Inimefien Ifeyinwa, and their union produced three brilliant and accomplished children, Onyinyechi, an Accountant, Emmanuel Chima, a Lawyer and Ezekwesili David, a Lawyer in training.
Chinwe obtained a B.A. (Hons) from University of Warwick in 1984, and his LL.B in the second class upper division, from University of Sheffield in 1977. After completing Law School (1988), Chinwe’s NYSC year, was spent in Enugu State working as a Commodities Broker, following which he returned to Port Harcourt to commence his legal career in the chambers of N. Nwanodi & Co, where he spent seven years under the watchful eye of N. Nwanodi SAN, his principal, mentor and uncle. He left with Nwanodi, SAN’s blessing to set up his own practice, Aguma & Co, where he served as Principal Counsel until his appointment as Honourable Attorney-General of Rivers State. As a Legal Practitioner in active practice, Chinwe conducted cases in all Courts of record including the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and was deservedly elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria on the 21st of September, 2015, in recognition of his excellent advocacy skills.
He was the quintessential Lawyer and Bar man. He served his beloved profession in various capacities throughout his distinguished career, both at branch level as Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA from 2006 to 2008, and at the National Level. During this period, I witnessed first hand, his political dexterity in the campaign and subsequent election of the NBA National Officers led by Olisa Agbakogba SAN. He also served the profession as a member of NEC, on the Committees of the Sections on Business Law and Legal Practice, and as Prosecutor for the NBA from 2012 to 2015. In addition, Chinwe served as a member of the Body of Benchers and a Member of the Council of Legal Education.
A committed and devout Christian, Chinwe, quietly supported the Church and various charitable and humanitarian causes throughout his life, and served as the Deputy Registrar, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) Diocese of the Niger Delta North, Province of the Niger Delta since 2008 until his call to glory.
Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, was a thorough professional, and a gifted Lawyer. Many have described him as an intellectual Colossus, I align myself with this view. Chinwe’s family, meant the whole world to him. It is not an overstatement to say that, he lived for them. He was a loving husband to his beloved Inime, a loving and responsible father to Onyi, Chima and Eze; loving and dutiful son and brother to his parents and siblings.
Chinwe was a born leader, by virtue of his extraordinary intellect and compassion in the face of genuine need. He was my friend who became my brother, my classmate of the Nigerian Law School class of 1988, and my intellectual sparring partner whenever our paths crossed, as it often did in the course our work. I am grateful for the privilege of his friendship and consoled by his legacy.
still loved life and all that it had on offer. He spared and spent quality time with his friends and colleagues who treasured him for his kindness, generosity and love. To him, distance was not a barrier to true friendship, as he kept in regular contact with all his friends, wherever they may be across the globe. He was a man with a big heart, who spread the joy of living to his friends and everyone who related with him.
Aguma’s Death: A Tragic Loss Aguma’s death is personal loss to me, as I have lost a brother and friend whom I will never speak to or see again, and consequently, I miss his truthful, tremendous and valuable contributions to my life. Aguma’s death is a tragic loss to Rivers State and the nation, as we will forever miss his unrelenting and remarkable devotion to peace, unity and progress of Rivers State, Nigeria and humanity.
Although he lived for too short a period, we take solace in the fact that his was a life well-lived with so many accomplishments, just as his memory will remain with all of us that were privileged to have known him. I pray for peaceful repose of his gentle soul, and extend my condolences to his loving wife, children and aged mother.