Justice Edokpayi, who was 61 years old, was in Abuja to attend a conference of judges. He was said to have confided in his aides upon his arrival that he felt ill. Divisional Police Office for the Central Business District was alerted by the hotel staff as soon as they discovered the Chief Judge.
Acting Police Commissioner of the Federal Capital Territory Steven Ekpe confirmed his death and said police have launched an investigation into the case. Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, Abuja Dr. Segun Ajuwon confirmed Edokpayi’s death, but said he did not die at the hospital. ``He did not die in this hospital, but he was brought in dead. His body is in our mortuary,’’ he said. A source said police would not release the Chief Judge’s remains to his family until after the cause of death is established.
When our reporter visited the late Chief Judge’s residence at Vincent Agememome Road in Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin City yesterday, many sympathizers were seen trying to console the family.
Justice Edokpayi was last seen in at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Benin last Sunday, where he attended the one year anniversary in office of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. From the church, he was said to have travelled to Abuja to attend the Judges’ conference.
The late Chief Judge’s wife Mrs. Roseline Edokpayi told sympathizers at her residence that she saw her husband on television on Monday night, in a film clip on the judges’ conference. “it is sad to hear later that he is dead,” she said.
Among the early sympathisers at the residence was the Chief Registrar of Edo State High Court Mrs. Veronica Eboriame, who led other staff of the state judiciary.
According to the chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association chapter in Edo State Barrister Bamidele Abina, the late Chief Judge was a very hardworking person who took his job very seriously. He said, “We have missed a father, a brother and one of the most hardworking chief judges in the history of the state. He was like a big brother to me.”
Justice Edokpayi’s junior brother, Anthony Edokpayi, said the Judge’s death is a big blow to the family. The junior Edokpayi, who is the Permanent Secretary, Edo Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, said the family never had any premonition that his brother would die so soon. “He attended the thanksgiving of the governor where he danced very well with his wife. The death is a big blow,” said Anthony.
The late Justice Edokpayi, a native of Igieduma village in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, the judge was born on June 21, 1949 in Eguaeholor-Isi village also in Uhunmwode Local Government Area.
He was married to Mrs. Felicia Edokpayi and had children.
He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1980, appointed judge of the Customary Court of Appeal in 1991 and transferred to the State High Court of Justice in 1993. He became Edo State acting Chief Judge in 2004 and was confirmed in 2005.
Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole described the death as very tragic. He however said God gives and God takes lives, praying that God will give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
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