Activities relating to the burial of the Late Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Hon. Emmanuel Aguma (SAN), dominated affairs last week in Government House, Port Harcourt.
From Wednesday when it kicked-off with a memorial lecture, till Saturday, when it dimaxed with interment, it was one activity or the other about the Late Attorney-General’s burial.
Chairman of the Memorial Lecture, Emma Ukala (SAN) said organizations of the public lecture in honour of the Late Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of Rivers State by the State Government lays credence to the very special place that he (Aguma) occupies in the hearts of the Governor and people of the state.
He said though Aguma was young, he caved out a place for himself in history.
According to Ukala, “he had a brave sense of Justice, he was very courageous, but he knew decent boundaries defined by law.” He added that Aguma worked for the survival of democratic institutions, especially the Justice.
Former Director General of Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Prof Epiphany Azinge, who spoke at the public lecture, expressed regret that use of force of coercion to undermine democratic choice of voters remains the worst crime against the rule of law.
He said law enforcement agencies have been used as veritable tools for election rigging since independence, and that the development has assumed a disturbing dimension since 1999.
Azinge noted that good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially to protect the rights of all groups of persons.
The speaker described the Late Attorney-General of Rivers State as one of the finest Chief Law Officer and Legal Minds of the state.
On Thursday night of Tributes for Late Aguma. It was attended by senior Lawyers, friends, family members, associates, Rivers State House of Assembly members as well as members of the State Executive Council and State Judiciary.
All extolled the enviable qualities of the Late Attorney-General. Justice Adolphus Enebeli, who spoke on behalf of the Rivers State Judiciary, said Aguma was a sound lawyer who argued his cases with conviction and knowledge, stressing that though he had tough look, he has a lovely heart that had compassion for all.
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani lauded Late Aguma for his legal support to the House through invaluable advice on issues of law.
Representative of the Body of Attorneys General and Akwa Ibom State Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, said at the national level, Late Aguma stood for justice and defended the rights of the Niger Delta region.
At a service of songs held Friday, in his honour at Saint Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo described Late Emmanuel Aguma as a dedicated public servant who worked for the growth of the state.
She said the State Executive Council would miss his worthy contributions and commitment to the actualization of the New Rivers Development Blueprint.
In attendance were Christians faithful, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, former Governors of Rivers State, members of the State Executive Council, Traditional Rulers, Federal and State Legislators and other prominent Nigerians.
In a special Executive Council session, the council declared late Aguma as a shining star who played a key role in the translation of the New Rivers Development Blueprint into reality.
Governor Wike said late Aguma served the state with passion and helped move the state forward. He noted that the sudden death of Hon. Aguma hit the state so hard, but stressed that the state Government must bear the painful loss.
In a funeral oration Saturday, Gov Wike announced that the State Government would rename the Judges Quarters under construction after the Late Attorney-General when the facility is completed. He also announced that the wife of Late Emmanuel Aguma would be drafted into the state Executive Council as way of honouring the late legal icon and cementing the relationship between the State Government and Aguma’s family.
The Governor, who commended the Aguma’s family, stated that, “his death is very painful. His service to the state will never be in vain. Having made sacrifices, the state will continue to honour him”
The burial of Late Attorney-General was also remarkable in the sense that it brought together politicians in the state irrespective of their different parties.