It was a tragic Monday morning for the judiciary in Ondo State as a judge of the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the State capital, Justice Lokulo-Sodipe, slumped and died in the course of reporting for his official duty.
Reports said the judge, who was 67 years old, slumped in his office while dressing up to attend a court session and all attempts to revive him proved abortive as he gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital.
Confirming the incident on a WhatsApp platform, the immediate past Chairman of the Akure branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr Rotimi Olorunfemi, simply said; “Just confirmed it (the judge’s death), it is true.
“He collapsed in the office at the Court of Appeal, Akure this (Monday) morning. Was rushed to the hospital but confirmed DOA (Death on Arrival)”.
Similarly, the incumbent Chairman of the NBA, Akure branch, Mr Banji Ayenakin, said the death of the judge came as a rude shock to the Association.
Ayenakin said in a statement thus; “The news of the demise of Hon Justice Lokulo-Sodipe came to me as a rude shock. My lord was a quintessential judge, very intelligent and forthright.
“I commiserate with his family and the President of the Court of Appeal, Nigeria. The entire members of NBA Akure will surely miss his promptness, forthrightness, and commitment to the development of justice in Nigeria.”
