Amosun, Agbakoba, Falana, others extol virtues of Onagoruwa

• Afenifere, OPC too

By WILLY EYA

Tributes have continued endlessly since yesterday after the announcement of the demise of the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr Olu Onagoruwa.

Onagoruwa, who first made a name as a human rights activist, was confirmed dead on Friday morning following an attack of stroke he suffered after the brutal killing of his son, Toyin Onagoruwa, in December 1996 by yet unknown gunmen.

The death of his wife few years ago also compounded his health problem until yesterday when the octogenarian joined his ancestors.

Leading the pack of those who condoled with the family and well wishers was the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who mourned the loss of the deceased.

Also, former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, expressed grief over the death of the former Minister, describing him as a liberal lawyer and a fighter.

Agbakoba described him as a compatriot and fighter in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria.

For Femi Falana (SAN), Onagoruwa was a liberal and an upright man, who lived for justice, equity,  law and order.

Also, a veteran journalist and accomplished court reporter, Mr Richard Akinnola, described him as a brilliant lawyer, saying his intellectual fecundity was not in doubt particularly on constitutional law.

The Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere joined other Nigerians to mourn him through its spokesman, Yinka Odumakin said Nigeria had lost a prolific legal mind.

The founder of the OPC, Dr Fredrick Fasehun, said the former Minister toiled to free Nigerians from captivity.

Human Rights Lawyer and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Maxi Okwu, described Onagoruwa as a “sound and great legal mind”.