Eminent jurists threw their weight behind their colleague Sylva Ogwemoh (SAN), who lost his mother, aged 90. JOSEPH JIBUEZE reports.
It is not usual for members of the Bar and Bench to converge on a town where no law event is holding. Something special must be happening.
That was the situation last weekend when they gathered in their numbers at Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State.
They joined family, friends and well-wishers for the burial of Mrs Felicia Ebodeamhe Ogwemoh, mother of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Principal Partner of Marine Partners, a law firm, Mr Sylva Ogwemoh, whose wife Priscilla is the Managing Partner at the firm of Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL).
Notable legal personalities at the event included former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Dan Abutu; Justice Tom Yakubu of the Court of Appeal; Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division and Supreme Court justice, Walter Onnoghen, represented by his wife, Nkoyo.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chike Onyemenam was also present, as well as Lagos Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Martin Ogunleye, who led other officers, including Phillip Njeteneh and Celestine Nwakwo, among others, to the event.
Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Cromwell Idahosa sent a condolence message to the Ogwemohs on the state judiciary’s behalf.
He wrote: “While praying the Almighty God to give you and the entire members of your family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, we are consoled by the fact that she lived a good life and left worthy legacies.”
Edo State Attorney-General Henry Idahagbon said although the late Ogwemoh died at 90, losing a loved one always causes pain to those left behind.
“If orders of injunction could restrain the cold hands of death, I am sure you would have sought and obtained an injunction of perpetuity to stop your beloved mother from being taken away by death.
“Be assured that Mama is not dead. She lives on in our hearts, for to live in the hearts of those you love is not to die,” he wrote.
Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) also expressed his “heartfelt condolence” to the family.
He prayed God to grant Ogwemoh and his family the fortitude to bear the loss and to fill their hearts with peace.
Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) urged the family to be strong. He wrote: “In this period of anguish, I charge you to take succor in God’s unfailing love and grace, which are able to heal and strengthen you at this time of sorrow.”
Another SAN, Chief Kelvin Nwufo, said he received the news with sadness but was consoled by the fact the late Ogwemoh “rests in the bossom of our Lord Jesus Christ as she lived a good Christian life.”
Last Friday, a vigil mass was held at the Ogwemoh Family Compound, Otoukwe Quarters. It was followed by the funeral the next day.
At exactly 10:25am last Saturday, the deceased’s remains, in a gleaming white casket, were rolled into the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, venue of the funeral mass.
The large church auditorium was filled to capacity. Outside, an array of cars bore witness to the large number of dignitaries and well-wishers who came to pay their respects.
The Bishop of Auchi, Dr Gabriel Dunia, officiated the event along with 21 other ministers. He told newsmen after the funeral mass that the late Ogwemoh’s life was worthy of emulation.
“She lived an exemplary life,” said the cleric. “She brought her children up well and lived a fulfilled Christian life till the end. She was a humble woman, caring and loving.
“She loved God and her neighbours with a difference. We thank God for her. May we continue to emulate this kind of good life.”
In a moving sermon, Rev. Alfred Ebalu of the St. Anthony of Padua, Iraokhor, said although the thought of death could be scary, it was inevitable.
“Some go to bed early. Some go to bed late, but all of us must go to bed. The question is: how prepared are we?” he asked.
According to him, death is an essential condition of life that must come when it will. “The death of every loved one is a painful experience,” he said.
Ebalu said the late Ogwemoh’s life was worthy of being celebrated. Describing her as an “impeccable person”, he urged the family to sustain the peace among them.
The cleric urged the family to emulate their late mother who he said gave her all – including time and affection – for them and everyone who came in contact with her.
“In death, life is transformed but not ended. This world is not our home. We’re just passing. As Christians we’re supposed to live everyday as if it were our last,” he said.
After the mass, the coffin was driven in a white Escalade hearse to the Ogwemoh family compound for the interment.
Along the way, pall bearers, from the Leading Light Funeral Concept, dressed in their all-white Agbada made of brocade material with gold-coloured caps to match, placed the casket on their shoulders as they marched and danced.
Three gun salutes went off as the body arrived the family home. At exactly 12.50pm, the body was lowered to the grave on a bright, sunny day.
It was carnival-like scenes at the Ogbake Primary School, where guests were entertained. Two live bands – Mayor Bolivia Contance and Six Brothers – took turns to thrill the large gathering.
The deceased’s son Anthony recalled how mama cared for him when he was once hospitalised.
“At bed time in the hospital, all the visitors will be asked to vacate the ward, but mama would sneak under my bed to avoid being driven out. What a watchful mummy on duty,” he said.
He also recalled how she would cook fish and corn soup, pack them in cans and send to him at his workplace; and how she would always see him off with fried fishlings, fish eggs and dried and salted fish whenever he visited.
Sylva, the Senior Advocate, also has so many fond memories of his mother, especially how she augmented his father’s meagre income as a teacher, how she cared for the children when they had even the slightest headache, and how she extended her generosity to all around her.
“She was a woman of impeccable character,” said Ogwemoh. “She was extremely generous, a kind mother. There’s no doubt that I will miss her so much.
“I have so many fond memories of her, especially her care and love for her children. You may say that’s applicable to every mother, but hers was second to none. She was really special to us.”
His wife Priscilla recalled that her caring late mother-in-law could not bear to see people in pain.
“I remember the pain in her eyes whenever any of my children took ill and she was visiting, to the extent that she always shed tears at such moments.
“Besides her generosity, kindness, care and compassion for those around her, I will always remember her as someone with a good heart and a great capacity for tolerance and perseverance,” she said.
Another son, Paul, a banker, said although his late mother had no formal education, she worked tireless and supported his late father, who died 24 years ago, to ensure they were all educated.
His wife Angela recalled how the late Ogwemoh asked her how much was bride price in her place so she could quickly be married into the family.
“She said she wanted the matter to be closed on time. She hurried my husband into the process. The day we got married, Mama bought so many things, big-sized yams and a lot of fish, so many things.
“She named me Ebikie (my beloved) after I got married. She was always happy to have me around. I remember once when I was about to return to Lagos after a holiday. She sent someone to buy fish, but the fish was small to her. She beat the table and said ‘goddammit’. We all laughed.
“She was a wonderful person. She loved me. That’s why it pains me that she’s left us, because we won’t have minded having her forever. But the will of God has to happen.”
