The Chief Judge of Ondo state, Justice Olusegun Odusola has described the former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as a courageous fighter.
Justice Odusola stated this at the Special Court Session held in honour of the late governor at the state high court headquarters in Akure the state capital on Wednesday.
He said “Arakunrin was a courageous fighter, who faced the serious security challenges in the State with such ingenious courage that his approach has become a national model. He was amazingly down to earth and this great asset is also his major weakness in a society where sycophancy is the order of the day. Whatever he promised to do, he would fight to accomplish.
“He had a desire to build an ultra-modern facility for the High Court (and had started the journey), but could not to do so partly because of his ill-health but largely because the individual who stood as the eye of the Executives in the administration of the judiciary could not interpret that dream.
“Expectedly, our new Governor, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has reiterated his promise to bring Arakunrin’s dream to reality. It is a delight, to note that Arakunrin never interfered with judicial activities even when it did not favour his desires. He would always tell us “Milord, deliver your judgment in your true conscience, if I am not satisfied I will appeal”.
“That is the man we are all gathered here to bid farewell on his last journey. I am paying tribute to a man who understood the principles of separation of powers and lived it, not only in words, but in action.
“In my last encounter with him, at a time when his health was obviously failing, Arakunrin still reiterated his desire to construct a judiciary complex that will be the envy of other states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“He also spoke about Judges’ welfare and I wondered how a man in such a condition could still love the judiciary so much as to remember the little promises he made.
“I therefore pay homage to an outstanding legal icon and a political colossus. A man who was an exemplar of indefatigable courage, principled resistance with honesty and self-respect.
“In the annals of Ondo State leadership, Arakunrin’s tenure will continue to be a good reference point. He left us with the fondest memories among which is his famous song of praise: “Awa ta jewo re ni gbangba…….”
