The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ekiti State, Mr. Dayo Apata, SAN, has described the late Hon. Justice John Ojo Akinyede (Rtd.) as a man of uncommon integrity, discipline, moral courage, deep faith and unwavering commitment to justice, whose legacy will continue to inspire generations of legal practitioners and uphold the highest standards of the judiciary.

Speaking during a special valedictory court sitting in honour of the late jurist at the State High Court premises in Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Apata noted that the retired judge was brilliant, diligent, and exemplary in character.

Apata advised people in the State to emulate the lifestyle of the late jurist so that they would be remembered for good after their demise, adding that late justice Oluyede always contributed positively to the society while alive.

“Though we mourn, we also rejoice, for we are not here to lament a life cut short, but to honour a life well lived, fully spent, and nobly concluded,” Apata said.

The State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Lekan Ogunmoye had earlier explained that the special sitting was organized in line with solemn tradition of the judiciary to honour the service and contributions of the late Justice Akinyede.

Lauding the late jurist for his contributions to the development of the judiciary in the state, the Chief Judge noted that played a significant role in strengthening the judiciary in Ekiti State.

Justice Ogunmoye recalled what he described as his impactful personal encounters with the late jurist when he was the presiding judge at the Ikole Division of the State High Court and he was serving as a young prosecuting counsel posted to Ikole-Ekiti by the old Ondo State Ministry of Justice.

Justice Ogunmoye described the well-attended valedictory session as a befitting farewell to a jurist who made lasting impacts on the legal profession.

Also speaking, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye who is Barrister at law, said although he did not personally know the deceased, he was deeply inspired by the testimonies of the Chief Judge, the Attorney General, and other speakers.

He emphasized that it is not the number of years lived that matters, but the number of lives positively touched.

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Speaking on behalf of the Inner Bar, Mr. Olagoke O. Fakunle (SAN) said he first met Justice Akinyede in 1987 when His Lordship was newly introduced to the Bar as a judge at the Ondo State High Court. He described him as an outstanding jurist, mentor, and source of inspiration to many members of the legal profession.

Fakunle noted that the valedictory session was a celebration of the life, legacy, and enduring influence of Justice Akinyede, whose memory would continue to inspire generations.

He also advised the state judiciary to preserve landmark judgments delivered by jurists such as Justice Akinyede for future reference.

Late Justice John Ojo Akinyede was admitted to the English Bar at the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London, in 1961. Upon his return to Nigeria, he served in the Ondo State Judiciary, predominantly at the Ikole-Ekiti Judicial Division. He remained a presiding judge until the creation of Ekiti State and later retired from active service at the Ado-Ekiti High Court in 1998.

Dignitaries present at the event included the President of the Ekiti State Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice M.O. Abodunde; Hon. Justice J.B.K. Aladejana; Mr. Adetunji Oso (SAN); the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ado-Ekiti Branch, Dr. Taiwo Omidoyin; and other senior members of the Bench and Bar.