TRIBUTE TO ACHAGH ESQ Days have passed, your death is still fresh and new in our hearts. Ordinarily I would not have written a TRIBUTE on your death as my eyes are already swollen with tears, but in spite of my heavy heart and profound sense of loss, I am sunk with empathy as I step my feet in my (your) home town. Well Im also consoled by the Biblical injunctions that it appointed unto man to live on earth, to die and to return to his Creator after his sojourn here on earth Hebrews Chapter 9 verse 27.Today, I find myself doing what I highly detest to do, because I had written a similar TRIBUTE in the same circumstances and solemnity following the sudden demise of Miss SHIDOO Ikyokwagh some time last year. But today I have the unpleasant task of writing a similar TRIBUTE to a more intimate person, my mentor BARR ACHAGH IORLAHA. Its written in the book of Isaiah Chapter 55 verses 8 and 9, where the Almighty GOD Himself said that ...my thoughts are not your thoughts; and my ways are not your ways.... The biography of my mentor ACHAGH was on 21st Nov, 2014 @ the hours of 10:00 am read by my friend Terzungwe Qua-Aondo , ACHAGHS younger brother whom we knew ourselves by virtue of my closeness to ACHAGH. Remarks were followed by persons in the likes of Tyoor Victor & Mr Iorpuu. Victor who led the NKST OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION, my Alma Mata, described death by drawing allusions to William Shakespeare, by stating that .....death is a walking shadow, a poor play that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more........ Others remarked of him on the funeral oration thus he lived without blemish another described him as a legal cum consummate political analyst previously, so much had been written and said of how good and benevolent a man ACHAGH was. Our godfather Njie Toryila Andrew and my Elder brother Nathaniel Ayila, my principal Polycarp Tersoo Aande with my younger ones Fg Iorngee and Jerry Iornenge, Akerigba Kohol Joel and my friend Mathias Aende all had written heart rending TRIBUTES in Honour of my Mentor Achagh Iorlaha. For mine is not a tribute per se, but my journey with my Mentor ACHAGH on earth, until his departure to the world beyond. I came to know ACHAGH some time exceeding two decades ago when he and my brother Peter Kegherga the younger brother of my boss Chris Tyovenda introduced me to him to help build my proficiency in English language and literature. I was still in my junior classes in secondary school, but because of his utmost humility and charming disposition, irrespective of my age, he never neglected me and still insisted that we were friends. I became close to ACHAGH when both of us got admitted to study law at the prestigious Benue State University Makurdi. ACHAGH took upon himself the duty of a guardian with fatherly advice and more. ACHAGHs analysis of law equalled that of Gani Fawehmi of the blessed memory. His position and submissions were most astute, incontrovertible, dispassionate and sensible. I cannot recall how many times his good judgment and true pieces of advice saved me from calamities. ACHAGH was one of the few I knew who though had nothing but still generous, as he could give everything without minding or taking a thing for himself. I still can remember perfectly who the man ACHAGH was to me. My 400 & 500 level school fees were paid by him. It was one sunny afternoon when he called that I should make haste to Dimond bank plc where a cheque in the tune of N33400 was drawn in my favor with an instructions that I should pay that of Antav Kume, his own and my school fees. Mr Antav Kume enjoyed this magnanimity only on one semester but mine was for four semesters. I cannot count his contributions towards my existence, both in private life and in the legal profession. I cast my mind back on my first appearance before justice Adam Onum of High court 2 makurdi, it was an adoption of written addresses, ACHAGH took almost a day trying to enkindle the spirit of boldness in me, I thought it was impossible for me to do it. He always wanted the best for me. 14 days to his demise, he stumbled over me before Her Worship Mrs Weghgba of Magistrate court 3 when I was struggling my best to move a bail application in NGBEDE ECHO VS COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, hmmmmmmm the respondent Chief Mrs Shima (principal state counsel) had filed a counter affidavit to my bail application and vigorously opposed my application, I became helpless in court, and behold ACHAGH was sitting next waiting to take his case which was also a bail application, he quickly noticed how desperate and nervous I was, he hinted at my back that I should calm down because only him knew that Im a #shy person #crying# and when I successfully moved my application he pushed an authority of BOLAKALE vs STATE to my table and urged me to opposed on the point of law. The authority which operate to the effect that if the prosecution has not filed an information against the accused person at a competent court, same can not oppose a bail application filed on behalf of the accused/applicant, and that was the holden of court on the day ACHAGH died. I dedicated the ruling to ACHAGH my mentor. My debts to my mentor ACHAGH are beyond measure even in my grief, I thank God for making me know ACHAGH.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 23:01:15 +0000
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