Erudite Delta’s ex-Attorney General, Dafe Akpedeye Dies, Okowa, Uduaghan Mourn

Dafe Akpedeye, SAN, an erudite lawyer and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Delta state between 2007 and 2009, has died aged 59.

Akpedeye, a senior lawyer, who hails from Uwheru, in Ughelli North Local Government Area, died on Monday after a protracted illness at a Lagos hospital.

Delta state Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, who confirmed his death in a statement on Tuesday, expressed deep sadness on the demise of former commissioner in the state, describing it as a colossal loss.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Tuesday in Asaba, Okowa commiserated with the people of Ughelli North Local Government, Uwheru community in particular and Nigerian Bar Association over the passing of the renowned lawyer.

He noted that Akpedeye was a national and international lawyer who made invaluable contributions to the development of legal education and practice as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and as a law teacher at Delta State University.

He said that the departed Akpedeye was a respected professional lawyer and administrator, who excelled as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Delta between 2007 and 2009 and had over 35 years of legal practice experience ranging from litigation, arbitration and mediation to a record-breaking performance in oil, gas and energy law.

The governor described him as a “thoroughbred professional” whose contributions to society would be indelible.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a gentleman and thoroughbred professional, Dafe Akpedeye SAN, who reportedly died on Monday.

“The news of his death came to me as a shock and I send my heartfelt condolences to the family, the people of Ughelli North, the Nigerian Bar Association and Delta State University on the passing of the renowned statesman and top-notch lawyer.

“He was a gentleman and brilliant lawyer of international acclaim, who distinguished himself in the service of his people and in the private and public sectors.

“In acknowledgement of Akpedeye’s enormous contributions in law practice, he was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2004 and was recognised by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) in 2014,” he said.

Okowa prayed to God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends he left to bear the loss.

Dafe Akpedeye Was One Of Best Legal Minds In Nigeria – Uduaghan

Meanwhile, former governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has described the late Akpedeye as one of the best legal minds in the country.

Giving a graphic details of his encounter with Akpedeye who served as Attorney General of Delta state under his tenure, Uduaghan said that the deceased was the brain behind the formulation , drafting and publication, amongst other things, the first edition of the Annotated Laws of Delta State, the first of its kind in the West African region.

According to the former governor, “In my eight years as Governor of Delta State, I had the privilege of meeting and working with some of the finest minds, men and women, from diverse fields of endeavour. One of them that stood out was Dafe Jude Akpedeye, OFR, SAN, FCIArb., former Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Delta State.

“Dafe Jude Akpedeye, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and one of the best lawyers in investment banking and corporate finance. Sadly I got the news yesterday that Dafe Akpedeye, OFR, has gone to meet his creator.

“I am immensely saddened and pained by his death. In my first term as Governor of Delta State, he worked with me as Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice from 2007 to 2009, during which time he helped to formulate the drafting and publication, amongst other things, the first edition of the Annotated Laws of Delta State, the first of its kind in the West African region.

“With his rich pedigree in investment banking, Mr. Akpedeye played a crucial role in my administration’s successful effort in partnering with and attracting private sector investments to Delta State.

“As Attorney General, he was dedicated, committed to his job and loved Delta State. And as a private practitioner before and after he served as Commissioner of Justice, he was brilliant, inventive and did his job with integrity. His sterling qualities and accomplishments are attested to by the fact that he attained the peak of legal practice in 2004 when he was conferred with the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and was recognised by the Federal Government with the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) in 2014.

“I wish he had stayed longer in life, but we cannot question the Most High God. With his death, Nigeria has lost one of her best legal minds. However, he lived a life of service that was of immense blessing to his community, his state and Nigeria. My wife and I mourn his passing and we commiserate with his family, friends and loved ones. May God receive him in His Paradise and console his family”.