The Court of Appeal, Abuja division, on Thursday held a valedictory court session in honour of Late Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua, a presiding judge at the Benin Court of Appeal, until her death.
The session which was attended by legal luminaries across Nigeria, extolled the late justice for her exemplary life and dedication to her work.
Speaking on Thursday at the valedictory court session, The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) said Justice Orji-Abadua’s ability to navigate the complexities of the legal system with precision and integrity set her apart as a rising star in the legal community.
Fagbemi noted that the late justice “throughout her professional journey not only achieved brilliant success but also served as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring legal professions in her exceptional demonstration of the importance of integrity, diligence and unwavering dedication.
“Her contributions to the Judiciary at the different levels of the Nigeria Judicature indeed stand as a testament to her exceptional legal prowess and unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law.
“As a justice of the Court of Appeal, honourable Justice Orji-Abadua presided over countless criminal and civil appeals in which she delivered many landmark cases that reshaped and reformed legal precedents. Her judgements and legal pronouncements were also characterised by meticulous analysis of the facts of each case” Fagbemi said.
President of the Court of Appeal, Monica Dongban-Mensem, described Justice Orji-Abadua as a jurist of unimpeachable character who had a very simple and humble nature.
Looking back at her professional journey, Justice Dongban-Mensem said Justice Orji-Abadua was born on October 15, 1959.
“His lordship’s career as a legal practitioner commenced in 1984 as an NYSC state counsel in the Ministry of Justice, Yola, Adamawa State.
“Honourable Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua was appointed a judge of the high court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in January 1997, where his lordship served diligently until his elevation to the Court of Appeal on February 15, 2008.
“His Lordship was in the service of the judiciary for twenty-seven years. Sixteen of which were spent at the court of appeal” Justice Dongban-Mensem said.
The Chairman Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN); the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mr Paul Usoro (SAN), and other senior lawyers present showered encomiums on her.
They added that her contribution to the development of the law will continue to shape the nation’s legal jurisprudence.
Other senior lawyers at the valedictory session were former Attorney General of Imo State, Chukwuma-MaChukwu Ume (SAN), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), and Chief Chris Uche (SAN), among others.
