My Brother, My Friend, Aguma, SAN Has Passed On

building and commissioning of the National Industrial Court, Port Harcourt and the upgrading of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt. It is a lasting legacy of His Excellency and your pride as the Honourable Attorney-General, Rivers State, Regards. Richard Oma Ahonaruogho”.

With the benefit of hindsight, I cannot recall seeing Emma on Channels Television, from which I learnt of the events that night. I cannot say whether Emma read my text message sent to his phones for I got no response (which was unlike him). But, as if I knew that was to be the last effort at communicating with him, I tried to get through on phone to a good friend, Mr. Ibrahim Mark, who is also a member of the Distinguished Body of Benchers, and a close Associate of His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State, without success. I then sent a similar text message at 22.58pm to Mr. Ibrahim Mark. Not satisfied that I had been unable to deliver my message to Emma, I telephoned, Mr. O. C. J. Okocha, SAN, a Past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, whom I was fortunate to speak with, to appreciate the significant contribution to the Judiciary by the Rivers State Government with Mr. Aguma, SAN as the Honourable AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice.

I have read with pleasantness, the press statement by Mr. Emma Okah, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications of Rivers State, on the demise of the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Emmanuel Chinwenwo Aguma, SAN, and the two days of mourning with flags flown at half-mast approved by His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State. I am sure more honours will come to him, even in death.

Mr. Aguma, SAN, came, saw and conquered. Let the ‘codification’ begin. For it is a Passage without a Passage, where legacies abound.

May his soul Rest In Peace, Amen.