Okowa mourns Justice Samuel Oseji of the Supreme Court

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Tuesday expressed deep sadness over the sudden death of Justice Samuel Oseji of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Samuel Oseji, sworn in as a justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in November 2020, was identified to come from Idumuje-Unor, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta Etate. He died at 67 on Monday in Abuja after a brief illness.

Governor Okowa in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, commiserated with the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the people of Aniocha North Local Government Area and Idumuje-Unor community over the death of the outstanding jurist and statesman.

The governor described the Justice Oseji as a quintessential and intellectual jurist whose pronouncements on the bench had advanced the course of justice delivery in Nigeria.

Governor Okowa stated that the deceased was a well-respected and humble jurist whose trust in God and passion for justice with unassailable integrity took him to greater heights in his career and life.

The governor declared: “the news of his death came to me as a great shock and I send my heartfelt condolences to his wife, Dr (Mrs.) Minnie Oseji, a Permanent Secretary in the civil service of Delta State, the family and people of Aniocha North Local Government Area, and Idumuje-Unor community, in particular, as well as his colleagues at the Supreme Court on the passing of the renowned statesman and serving Justice of the Supreme Court.

“As a bastion of knowledge and inspiration, a man of great wisdom and insight, Justice Oseji contributed immensely to the development of our country’s jurisprudence in the several capacities he served.

“As a government, we acknowledge his role and efforts as first substantive Chief Registrar of Delta State Judiciary and later as Judge of the High Court of Delta, before his elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2010.

“In acknowledgement of his distinguished accomplishments in life, especially his elevation to the Apex Court in Nigeria, and in appreciation to God, the late Justice was honoured by his Idumuje-Unor community at a grand reception in December 2020.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the exit of a great statesman and distinguished jurist, Honourable Justice Samuel Chukwudumebi Oseji, whose humility and fountain of knowledge have remained an inspiration to many.

“We will sorely miss him, especially for his contributions to the growth of the judiciary in the country.”

Governor Okowa on Tuesday cancelled all official engagements for the day in honour of the late Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Samuel Oseji, who died on Monday.