Wike Eulogises Late Justice Karibi-Whyte At Funeral …Says He Was An Epitome Of Integrity, Civility

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has described late Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte as an epitome of unshakable integrity, civility and dignity.
Wike stated this last Saturday during the funeral service of the late legal icon at Saint Augustine’s Anglican Church, Abonnema in Degema Local Government Area.
The governor, who was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Engr. Chukwuemeka Woke, said that Justice Karibi-Whyte was a prominent son of Rivers State and a great jurist who dedicated over six decades of his life to the service of the nation.
“Justice Karibi-Whyte was a man of many great parts. As an academic, he taught, published and mentored many young ones to success. As a public servant, he was dedicated, professional and result-oriented.
“As a jurist, he was devoted to the cause of justice and always defended the dignity of the legal system.
“He wrote precisely and simply as he spoke with juristic elegance and his judgments were models of deep forensic thought anchored on sound legal logic”, he said.
Wike noted that the nation and the state lost a superb jurist and hero who would forever remain an inspiration to many.
He said the state would take solace in the fact that he would be remembered for his brilliance and scholarship.
“His consummate dedication to the rule of law and extra-ordinary passion for undiluted justice for all will remain evergreen.
“As we bid farewell to a devoted husband, a loving father, a brilliant scholar, a fine public servant and an exceptional jurist, let us all renew our faith in God and commit ourselves to building a more peaceful, just and progressive society,” he added.
However, while reacting to the comment made by a former governor of the state, Chibuike Amaechi on the development of Kalabari land and the security situation in the state, the Chief of Staff said it was obvious that he has lost touch with developments in the state.
He said that since the launching of Operation Sting by the Governor Nyesom Wike administration, the security situation has improved greatly.
“It is unfortunate for Amaechi to come to Kalabari land and accuse former President Goodluck Jonathan of not developing the area, six years after he had left office.
“I wonder why the former governor will choose to make such embarrassing remarks at the funeral of late Justice Karibi-Whyte, a man he claimed to be his mentor,” he stated.
He said that for five years as a minister, Amaechi cannot boost of attracting any project from the Federal Government to his state.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said that the Bar and Bench were thrown into a deep state of mourning when the news of the death of Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte was reported on Friday, May 22, 2020.
The NBA also noted that since then, the association has yet to recover from the agony and pain occasioned by the inestimable loss.
Speaking at the funeral service held at the St Augustine Anglican Church, Abonnema, in honour of late Karibi-Whyte, the NBA President, Olumide Akpata, extolled the late Justice, noting that he belonged to a cadre of distinguished jurists that was fast becoming extinct.
“I consider it a great honour and privilege to pay tribute to this great man on behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association. Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte was held in the highest of esteem by members of the NBA, and indeed, the entire legal profession. He was one of our heroes, one of the greats, a member of that distinguished cadre of jurists that is fast becoming extinct. His many judgements bear eloquent testimony to his intellect and profundity, and remain indelible in our body of case-law,” Akpata stated.
“The NBA bids the late Hon. Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte (rtd) farewell, and may his soul rest in perfect peace,” he added.
The late justice left behind seven children: four boys and three girls, namely Asikiya, Tonye, Gogo, Abiye, Tokini, Sodigi and Nengi.