Kogi to immortalise Ocholi

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has described the late Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. James Eneojo Ocholi, as a fearless person, whose life “was extinguished at a very young age”.

Ocholi died with his wife, Blessing and son, Joshua, in an auto crash on the Kaduna-Abuja Highway, on March 6.

The governor, in his tribute at the valedictory court session in honour of the late minister, said the government will immortalise him and ensure his family is catered for.

He described the deceased as someone who was never afraid to live, saying many people were afraid to die, and as a result “they never begin to live and Ocholi was not such.”

Bello said the late minister would be remembered for the legacies he left behind and described him as a legend and living icon who succeeded early in life.

The event, which witnessed the outpouring of eulogies by the colleagues of the departed senior lawyer and other personalities, began before noon, following the arrival of the remains of the deceased and those of his wife and son at the Kogi State High Court complex at 11:30am.

The Chief Judge, Justice Nasir Ajanah, granted the order of leave to release the bodies of the deceased to their family for burial, “following an application filed by way of motion” by Mr. Olorungbogun, the acting solicitor-general.

He said the motion on notice was brought pursuant to inherent jurisdiction of the court.

The motion sought an order of the court to grant the release of the body of “James Eneojo Ocholi, who died in an auto crash with his wife and son on March 6, to release to the family for committal to mother earth.”

Justice Ajanah said everything Ocholi achieved was through dint of hard work.

He said: “Where do I start from? It was way back in October 1991, after the new states were created that I met this young lawyer. I had just been posted to Ankpa in Kogi State as the resident High Court judge. Most of the cases before me were being handled by Ocholi. The dedication, industriousness and professionalism with which he handled the cases marked him out as a special breed. Whether he won or lost any of his cases, you knew that he worked hard and presented the facts and expressed opinions as only a professional would.

“It was apparent that he was not cut out for a small environment like Ankpa. Little wonder then that he left Ankpa for Lagos soon after my transfer from the town. His humility was unequalled. His ascension to the rank of a SAN and minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria did not come to me as surprise. His call by the angels to be with the Lord, though shocking, is one that neither he nor any of us have a choice when so called.

“Our solace lies in the fact that it is not how long a person has lived on this earth, but what legacy he has left behind. Ocholi lived a pious and fulfilled life.”

Chief Alex Iziyon, who represented the league of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, described the late Ocholi as man of honour and integrity.