The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has described the late Justice Alagoa as a rare breed, devoid of arrogance and elitism.
Speaking in Abuja at a valedictory court session held in honour of the late Justice of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, she stated that he was a courageous and dogged fighter for his beliefs.
The CJN urged all humans to strive to leave behind good legacies that will make their fellow human beings remember their lives and times for good.
She disclosed that although the curtain has fallen on the earthly journey of Alagoa, she, however, noted with joy that the legacy of the Justice on earth remained etched in the sand of time for the coming ones to emulate.
“His lordship’s passing reminds us all that life is fleeting, and we must strive to leave behind footprints worthy of remembrance.
“Even in death, Alago’s legacy endures: a beacon of inspiration, wisdom, and unwavering integrity; his fatherly love, humility, and dedication to justice have left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”
“He was a towering figure not only in stature but also in legal acumen, adding that the late justice was a man of remarkable intellect and philosophical depth.
“His judicial pronouncements were marked by methodical reasoning and brilliance,” she said.
She also charged the family of the deceased to maintain and sustain the good legacies left behind by the late justice.
Also speaking, Lateef Fagbemi, Minister of Justice, hailed Alagoa as a firm and fearless jurist who demonstrated the necessity of using legal tools to improve governance and drive societal improvements.
He remarked that, while Alagoa’s stint on the Supreme Court bench was limited, his contributions and strong views sparked national debate from legal, political, and social observers to this day.
Fagbemi praised the CJN for hosting the special court session to honor the late Justice, who he claimed traveled the length and width of Nigeria in service to his country.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
