A Tribute to Justice Omokri
Justice Jean Omokri was a man I came to know in the twilight of his years, but I had heard of him and his exploits in the Judiciary as an incorruptible, just and fair minded judge. I first knew his son, Reno Omokri, who displayed a loyal friendship to me. I recall writing Reno a letter saying to him that his generosity and loyalty continues to amaze me. It was when I got to know his father that I knew where those traits came from.
Justice Omokri was a very open and genuine person, who made it a point to consciously make you feel comfortable with him. A genuine patriot, he had spent his working life serving the Judiciary all over Nigeria and was involved in several landmark judgment including the verdict deposing Chris Ngige as Anambra governor and that rejecting Nnamdi ‘Andy’ Uba’s petition to be declared ‘Governor in waiting’.
I had a conversation with him less than 24 hours from his death, which ended with his prayers for me and expressions of goodwill in his fluent Hausa language. I will greatly miss him, but I’m comforted that I still have with me the genuine friendship of his son Reno. My prayers are to the family he left behind.
Although is painful and sad that my dad is dead,but in the same vain I thank God he died fulfilling purpose,maximizing potentials and standing for true justice.Even if it seems like his gone,his impact still lives on.
His was a man of a man honor, influence and positive impact.Most importantly,he made us [his children] prototypes of himself.
Justice Jean Omokri was a father to me, he took me and my siblings under his wing when our father Late Justice Frank Udeh died. he treated us no different from his own children. we loved him like a father becos he meant everything to us. i saw him as a great man, a man of wisdom, a man with a heart of gold. how much we are going to miss him. Daddy we love u, and may your gentle soul rest in peace with the Lord. Amen
He’s a man i respect so much, he was like a father i never had. He was a man of great value, a man of striking wisdom, he’s a man of unique personality. Im glad to be brought up by a man of such.