Olumide Akpata, others mourn with Judiciary as Yobe state loses Chief Judge
Encomiums have continued to pour in, as members of the Nigerian bar join the judiciary to mourn the passing of the Chief Judge (CJ) of Yobe State, Hon. Justice Garba Musa Nabaruma, who died on Monday May 18th 2020 at an Abuja hospital.
Condoling with the Judiciary over the death of Yobe State Chief Judge, NBA Presidential aspirant, Olumide Akpata expressed his “deepest sympathies to the entire Nigerian judiciary, particularly the Yobe State Judiciary, on the passing unto glory of the Chief Judge”.
He said, “Justice Garba Nabaruma played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s jurisprudence.
“The service of the learned Chief Judge to the Judiciary and indeed the legal profession in Nigeria, was invaluable and unprecedented in both quality and length in Yobe State. Until his death, he was considered the longest-serving Chief Judge of Yobe State and in that position, he played a substantial role in shaping Nigeria’s jurisprudence”.
Akpata added that Nabaruma’s death was a sad event not just for the judiciary but also the NBA, more especially, the branches in Yobe State that were geographically closer to the learned Chief Judge and under his jurisdiction.
He continued, “I also express my sympathies to the family and friends of the late Justice G.N. Nabaruma. I pray that the Almighty God will comfort his family, friends, colleagues, and all of us during this difficult time, and also give everyone that is affected by his death the fortitude to bear this loss. May he continue to rest in the bosom of God forever and ever,” Olumide Akpata said.
In his condolence message, another aspirant to the office of the NBA President, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN, expressed shock and great sadness at the news of the demise of the CJ.
“I had interacted closely with Justice Nabaruma over the last two years in the course of a national assignment we were both involved in. He was a perfect gentleman, humble and gentle of spirit.
I join the Yobe State Judiciary, the Yobe State Bar and his family and loved ones in praying for the peaceful repose of his soul. I pray that God will grant his family and loved ones the fortitude and strength to bear this loss”.
A close relative and ward of the late CJ who is also a lawyer expressed sadness at the passing of his guardian, saying, “I have lost a father, a guardian and a mentor. He told me few days ago “Giwa, I will see you when I get home” but he passed on yesterday. ADIEU”.
Legal Business gathered that the late CJ who was sworn-in as Yobe’s Chief Judge in 201, passed away at the National Hospital, Abuja after a prolonged illness and was buried according to Islamic injunctions on, Tuesday, 19th May, 2020.
Nabaruma is considered to be among the longest serving Chief Judge since the creation of the State on 27th August, 1991. May his soul Rest in Peace.