Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has expressed deep shock over the death of a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN), describing his demise as a colossal loss to the nation and the state in particular.
Bello, in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, described the late Abdullahi as an accomplished legal practitioner and administrator who has put so much into the service of the nation in different capacities.
He said the sterling contributions of the late legal icon to legal profession right from when he was called to the English Bar in 1963 until he reached the pinnacle of his career as the first SAN from Northern Nigeria remain remarkable and landmark feat he would continue to be remembered for.
Bello, while commiserating with the immediate members of his family and members of the Bar and Bench over the sad loss, prayed the Almighty Allah to grant his soul Aljannah firdaus.
Also, a former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris has sent a condolence message to the family of the late legal icon and the people of the state.
In his condolence message to the family, the former Governor described the late Abdullahi as a peace maker and a patriotic Nigerian who dedicated all his life to the services of the nation.
He noted that the late Abdullahi’s noble service in the public and private sectors remains a good legacy for future leaders to draw lessons from in their quest for positive development in Nigeria.
The former Governor further described the legal icon as a true, sincere and transparent public officer while in service, saying the current leaders should draw inspirations from his untainted records and good legacies.
Also, the former President, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and Association for Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Dr Idris Omede has expressed shock over the death of Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim SAN.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Dr. Omede, who once served as Commissioner for Health in Kogi state, said Kogi and indeed, Nigeria has lost one of its finest public servant.
He described the former Minister as a role model to many, his community, Kogi state and Nigeria at large, with large trail of accomplishments.
Dr Omede recalled the roles the quintessential elder statesman played in repositioning and advancing the education, transport, aviation and Judiciary sectors when he held sway as minster of these ministries at different times.
“He ensured a well thought policies and blueprints in the governance system of this ministries. While out of public service, he also made yet a huge success in his well established private legal practice.
“His exemplary and contentious life and life style, in-depth religious knowledge and practice are some of the invaluable assets and attributes he left behind,” Dr Omede noted.
In the same vein, the executive chairman of Ankpa local government council, Hon. Ibrahim Abagwu has expressed shock over the death of the former AGF.
Abagwu, in a condolence message signed by his media, Adams Mustepha Aikoye, described Abdullahi Ibrahim as a result oriented administrator and a non partisan advocate for good governance who contributed laudably to the development of Ankpa, Kogi state and the nation at large.
According to him, the former AGF will greatly be missed, particularly at this period when Ankpa and Nigeria need his experience and expertise.
Abdullahi, an Igala man from the Eastern flank of Kogi State, was until his death on Sunday January 24, 2021, the first SAN from the whole of Northern Nigeria and had served as the Attorney General of the Federation between 1997 and 1999.
Abdullahi until his demise, was the Managing Partner of Abdullahi Ibrahim and company, a legal firm. He was called to the English Bar in 1963 after which he practiced in chambers in England before returning to Nigeria, where he was called to the Bar in 1964.
He served at various times as Legal Adviser and Senior State Counsel in the defunct Northern Nigeria. He has been in private practice since 1973.
Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim has held various board appointments in several public and private bodies. He has also served the nation at various times; he was Legal Adviser and later Chairman of New Nigeria Development Company Limited (NNDC).
He has previously served the nation at different times as Federal Minister of Education; Federal Minister of Science and Technology and Minister for Transport and Aviation.
He was also the nation’s Chief Legal Officer, as Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of Nigeria between 1997 and May 1999.
His wealth of experience and knowledge had been of immense advantage to the various tribunals and panels of inquiry that he had served.
He is a life member of the Body of Benchers of the legal profession, and was its Chairman until 2001. He is a member of National Boundary Commission, among others.
Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim was the agent and later co-agent in the dispute between the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Republic of Cameroon at the International Court of Juctice at the Hague.
Having put so much into the nation, the Federal Government acknowledged his contributions and conferred on him the national honours of, Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), and recently, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
Also, the Galadima Ankpa Kingdom, Prince Yakub Yakub hailed the late AGF for his selfless services to his community.
In his condolence message, Prince Yaqub commiserated with the family of Alh. Abdullahi, the late Sardawna of Ankpa Kingdom. He consoled the people of Ankpa kingdom over the loss of an illustrious son.
Describing late Abdullahi as a legal icon and quintessential statesman, Prince Yakub said “today, I join in mourning the first SAN from the northern Nigeria, a vibrant personality who was a great promoter of peaceful co-existence, development and the unity of the Nigerian state throughout his life.”
He prayed Allah to receive Alh. Abdullahi Ibrahim’s soul and comfort all who mourned him.
