PROTOCOLS:

The sudden death of Hon Justice Jude Okeke filtered in my ears like a tale of moonlight when I arrived Abuja from owerri by a colleague who requested I go online to read what he just read.

Behold it was a true story. I drove straight from the airport to his resident with the help of his Legal Assistant just to be sure that a fine gentleman and brilliant Judge. One of the best judges in FCT is gone to meet our lord.

Hon. Justice Jude Okeke was a core and consummate Bar Man being a former Chairman of NBA Unity Bar before he was elevated to the Bench on the 4th day of April 2007. He was a chairman of all of us when ABUJA as a whole had only one branch of NBA .We have lost our own, a rare breed of intellectual prowess that may not be gotten in the nearest future. One of the judges that attends A.G.C of NBAconsistently. A down to earth man with panache and candor. He represents the embodiment of knowledge, a clear breed of the Bar in the Bench.

As young as he was in the bench and an astute mentor to young lawyers, he was nominated as the presiding judge in Nigerian law School Moot Court trials between 2008 to 2018.
As a strong believer in Justice Delivery and lover of Justice Reforms, He was appointed member of FCT High court steering committee on Administration of criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2017 till date.
Appointed Presiding Judge, Declogging Panel on criminal cases, FCT high courts between 2018 to 2019.
In 2014 he chaired the panel of enquiry into fire outbreak in FCT High court Headquarters, Maitama.
Appointed as members of Governorship Election Petition Tribunal for many States in Nigeria.
Numerous commendations for good performance from NJC especially in 2010, 2012 and 2013.
Justice Jude Okeke between 2011 to 2019 (9 Years interval) delivered 419 judgmentsin contested cases and 582 rulings in a contested motions. In the words of the committee for judges evaluation of judicial officers of superior courts of record chaired by Justice E.O AYOOLA. (CON) had this to say thus:
“the committee noted with admiration that during the 4th quarter, 2012 You delivered 13 judgments while being on election Petition Tribunal, I am therefore directed to through this letter commend the efforts of your lordship and urge you to please keep it up”

And many more land mark recommendation

He epitomizes a clear example and need to appoint some judges from the Bar. Words cannot describe his contributions towards the growth of the legal system and profession.

The entire branches of NBA in FCT and in particular Capital Bar have lost a friend, a judge that believes only in hard work, an accurate time keeper to court duties and an embodiment of humane feelings to counsel that come before him.

The entire Bar has lost a teacher, a father and a preacher of love and a lover of peace.

He once said to me on a petition for dissolution of marriage before him and I quote: ” counsel have you tried taking the couple to a room , lock up the doors and go away with key? ” and I replied; No my lord, he said try it , it works very well. And behold it worked when I tried the formula. Such a jovial and jolly good fellow.

It has come to our realization once again through this exit of a legal Colossus and judicial compass that we shall all die one day. But we must ask,!What will you be remembered for? As for my lord, Hon. Justice Jude Okeke the above accolades has granted him access to the hall of fame in judicial conclave and or caucus.

For the lovely family, take heart.Because the history of this profession shall be kind to him, take heart , for the history of just and justice delivery shall be happy that he was a jurist, take heart for his God in heaven shall be happy of his accomplished tasked here on earth.

Our own Hon. Justice Jude Okeke, shall be greatly missed, i have not seen any counsel that is not proud to appear before him, he grants meritorious applications without fear or favour. I was not surprised about some weeks before his demise, when I was awarded a sumptuous cost against the deputy sheriff of same court that he is under, though enforcement of same award has been a tall dream. A brave judge per excellence that shall be missed by the legal community.

Death has just terminated all the good things we share with you my lord, but God knows the length and time of each and every one of us here on earth, this is your bus stop, but not the destination of what history has in stock for you my lord. It is not how far one existed, but how well we were on earth impacting generation even after we have gone.

Let us have solace in the words of MICHELANGELO

“If we have been pleased with life, we should not be displeased with death, since it comes from the hand of the same master”end of quote

I pray that your dear wife, lovely children and family members will have the courage to bear this painful but an accomplished jurist death.

In the book of prophet of Isaiah, Chapter 57 vs 1-2, it said;

“Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why! No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly path will rest in peace when they die”end of quote.

For my lord is and was a godly man and I am very sure he is resting in peace in the open arm of God almighty.

Good night, my lord, LAA NA UDO, My lord

May your gentle, humane and kind soul rest in perfect peace.

We shall meet to depart no more.

Thank you my lords for the audience!!!!

Clement Chukwuemeka Ugo Esq

Servant Chairman

Bwari Branch (Capital Bar)

10th of September, 2020