On Monday, the Oyo State High Court in Ring Road, Ibadan, was filled with tributes and encomiums for the late Justice Adegboye Ayinla Gbolagunte, who passed away on June 24, 2024, at the age of 64.
Distinguished figures, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria led by Chief Folake Solanke, gathered to honor the esteemed jurist.
Justice Gbolagunte, a revered figure in the Oyo State Judiciary, is survived by his widow, Wuraola Ayoola, and three children, Oladiran, Oladoyin, and Oladotun. The valedictory court session was presided over by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iyabo Yerima.
Representing the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, Justice Hamman Baka, extolled the virtues of Justice Gbolagunte, emphasizing his well-regarded status among colleagues and associates. “How well one lives in life is what matters,” he said. “We mourn the late Justice Gbolagunte and condole with the family left behind. May God repose his soul.”
Governor Seyi Makinde, speaking through the Oyo State Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Abiodun Aikomo, described the late Justice Gbolagunte as a man dedicated to justice both within and outside the judiciary. “His memory will continue to be an inspiration to many of us.
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“It is not the length of time, but the quality of it left behind that makes a man. The Oyo State Ministry of Justice and indeed Oyo State in general will miss the late jurist,” Makinde stated.
Chief Folake Solanke, represented by Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), paid glowing tributes to Justice Gbolagunte, lauding him as a forthright judge dedicated to his work until his last breath. The Chairmen of the Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, and Saki branches of the Nigerian Bar Association also delivered heartfelt tributes.
Ibrahim Lawal of the Ibadan branch described Justice Gbolagunte as “a scholar on the bench who died in active service to the state and the nation. He died as a jurist with character, benevolence, vision, hard work, humility, and great tenacity.”
Lawal also lamented the challenging conditions under which judges work, attributing these to Justice Gbolagunte’s early death. He called on the Oyo State government to address the issue by appointing more judges and providing adequate funding.
Jide Olanipekun, Chairman of the Oyo branch, praised the late jurist’s steadfast dedication to justice, noting his significant contributions throughout his career. Adesoji Oke of the Saki branch and Omotayo Olatubosun of the Ogbomoso branch similarly commended Justice Gbolagunte’s diligence and punctuality in his judicial duties.
Oladiran, the first son of Justice Gbolagunte, expressed gratitude on behalf of the family for the honor bestowed upon his father, praying for such occurrences to be rare in the Oyo State Judiciary.