The late Justice Niki Tobi of the Supreme Court (rtd) has been described as an exceptional ambassador and a statesman per excellence whose lifetime achievements should serve as a source of inspiration to all.
Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson stated this while paying tribute to the departed Justice Tobi during a valedictory court session held in his honour at the State High Court in Yenagoa.
He noted that Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation were proud of his significant achievements and legacies left behind, pointing out that, Justice Tobi was a quintessential Ijaw man, who discharged his duties excellently in his lifetime.
According to the governor, the Ijaw nation grieves with the people of Esama in Bomadi Local Government area of Delta State, and as part of efforts to immortalize him, a befitting monument will be named after him in Bayelsa State.
Dickson, who prayed God to grant the soul of Justice Tobi eternal repose, said the government would continue to support the bereaved family to sustain his legacies for the sake of posterity.
Also in her remarks, the state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, likened Justice Tobi to a legal colossus, who bestrode the Judicial space with an uncommon brilliance.
The state chief Judge, who said the late Justice Tobi was one of the greatest legal minds of the time, stressed that, the country would not forget him in a hurry, and expressed appreciation to all who attended the valedictory session.
Eulogising the 76 – year old Supreme Court Justice, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kemasuode Wodu described the departed legal luminary as an ardent custodian of the law, as well as a distinguished and outstanding jurist, who recorded huge success in his chosen career.
Mr. Wodu noted that Justice Tobi rose to the pinnacle of his career with the attainment of a Professor of Law, adding that, he was an apostle of hard work with sterling literary abilities.