The Owerri branch of the Nigerian Bar Association has indeed been thrown into a state of mourning, following the demise of the duo, Mr. & Mrs. Okey Ehieze.

TheNigerialawyer (TNL) confirmed the sad news from the Chairman of the branch, Nosike Damian, who also informed TNL of the incident. A senior lawyer and a member of the branch, C.I. Asika Ilobi, confirmed that the late Anuli was sick before her death and about 13 days after her death, the husband joined her. He stated that late Okey was very hardworking and dedicated to his practice of law.

A lawyer by the name Offoaro, has paid tribute to Mr. Okey Ehieze who he described as his mentor, and Mrs. Okey Ehieze, his wife. He paid his last respect to his former boss in a piece he titled, “My Mentor and His Wife Are Gone”.

Eulogizing him for being a wonderful teacher who built his confidence as a young lawyer, he described him as one, who was fearless like a lion.

According to him, his style of advocacy was a beauty to behold as it was ornamented with erudition and clarity, stressing that, his practice cut across all areas of the law, and that they were already getting ready to see him as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria or a Judge before the unfortunate incident occurred.

“Chief Okey Ehieze (KSC), I am gob smacked that I have to post this at this time. Many years ago, you took me under your wings as a young lawyer who, after my service year sought to do pupilage in your famous Law office. I experienced firsthand what it meant to be a diligent and committed advocate. Your preference for excellent and professional legal service delivery was second to none. This made your law firm a one stop shop for legal services in Owerri and indeed Nigeria.

“I remember clearly, a certain time when we got a big brief. It was a case against a major communications company in Nigeria. I was barely two years at the Bar but you called me into your office, handed the file to me and said “I believe you will do a good job”. I was overwhelmed by the level of confidence you reposed in me at such a young age. Our Client wasn’t so comfortable that a young lawyer like me, fresh from the Law School will get the job done but you never wavered. Through your guidance and encouragement, I got judgment in favour of our Client. You were not just my boss, you were like my father, elder brother, friend, guide and advisor even after I opened my law firm. You were a quintessential lawyer. A lawyer’s lawyer. You were fearless like a lion, hence your Chieftaincy title of Dike Ogu 1 (Meaning Warrior). The doyin of the Bar – Your style of advocacy was a beauty to behold as it was ornamented with erudition and clarity. Your practice cut across all areas of the law. We were already getting ready to see you as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria or a Judge.

“You loved your wife, Barr. Anuli Okey Ehieze, passionately, who you lost two weeks ago to the cold hands of death. Your family was a priority to you. Your wife was a wonderful person. I remember going to your residence to commiserate with you and you assured me and others present that you will take it in your strides.

I believed you because you have always been a very powerful and strong man. Two weeks after, you left us. I am still in utter dismay. My dear Mentor, you and your wife have come to this world and left, but your legacies will speak for you both always. Like Julius Caesar said, you came, you saw, you conquered. May the souls of my boss and mentor, Chief Barr. Okey Ehieze and his wife Barr Anuli Okey Ehieze rest in peace,” he wrote.
According to the information gathered by TNL, their burial arrangements have been scheduled for December, 2019. According to the announcer, Azuka Ehieze, the valedictory session has been fixed for the 18th of December, 2019, at 10: 00 am at the High Court Owerri, Service of Songs, 26th of same month, followed by the social wake-keep while the 27th of December has been fixed for the burial. The venue for the burial is S.T James (Anglican) Church Umueze 1 Ehime mbano Local Government Area of Imo State at 12:00 pm prompt.