Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has described the late former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kate Abiri, as an incorruptible, courageous and fearless jurist, who championed the cause for uniform retirement age for judges in the country.
Governor Diri said her advocacy resulted in the law that unified the retirement age of state and federal judges at 70 years.
The Governor said the late Justice Abiri did not benefit from it as the President signed the bill into law after her retirement in January this year.
Senator Diri said her death was a huge loss to Bayelsa as it has created a vacuum that will be difficult to fill.
“For us, her demise is painful but I hope we all take solace in her worthy legacies and which we must all sustain,” he said.
Diri speaking during the funeral service on Saturday at Aleibiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.
Also at the Night of Tribute He said he was pleased to have known her as a very fine, soft-spoken, simple and amiable daughter of Bayelsa.
In her tribute, former First Lady of Nigeria and wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan, narrated her early days in the state where she approached the late Abiri to mentor her as wife of the deputy governor, stating that it was one of her best decisions in life.
Dame Jonathan said the singular act of establishing friendship with Abiri gave birth to her pet project “A-Aruera Reach-out Foundation” which is still touching lives due to the team the former CJ introduced to her.
She described late Abiri as a prayer warrior, a close ally, unassuming and a careful listener whose advice can always be counted upon.
The immediate past governor of the state and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Chief Seriake Dickson, said he was proud whenever he heard testimonies of her good deeds from colleagues in the legal profession.
Sen. Dickson stated that the Bayelsa judiciary was stable under her, noting that the state will miss a quintessential Ijaw woman and a daughter of the Ijaw struggle.
Despite the heavy downpour the list of dignitaries that bids her farewell is endless these include, Governor Diri, his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, State Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Abrakasa, wife of the deputy governor, Beatrice Ewhrudjakpo, a former deputy governor and Speaker of the State Assembly, Werinepre Seibarugu, wife of the first civilian governor of the state, Margaret Alamieyeseigha.
Legal luminaries Includes the Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zannah, his counterparts, Justice Akon Ikpeme (Cross River), Justice S. C. Amadi (Rivers State), and Justice Colington Uche (Abia State)
Also present were the Senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Dr. Konbowei Benson, Sagbama/Federal Constituency representative, Dr. Fred Agbedi, his Ogbia Federal Constituency counterpart, Chief Mitema Obordor as well as the Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency representative, Oforji Oboku.
Others were the, member representing Ekeremor Constituency 1 in the of Assembly, Tari Porri, Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tolani Alausa, and retired Supreme Court jurist, Justice Francis Tabai and others