By Oluwatope Lawanson
National Leader of All Progressives Congress, (APC) Sen. Bola Tinubu has condoled with the family of one-time Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide, over his demise.
Tinubu, in a condolence message by his media officer, by Mr Tunde Rahman in Lagos, described the late Akinjide as an extra-ordinarily brilliant lawyer and an undisputable giant in the legal profession.
“I commiserate with the family of Second Republic Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the federation, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide, over his passing early hour of Tuesday.
“Whichever side of the political spectrum anyone belonged to in 1979-83 era, it was never in doubt that Chief Akinjide served the country and the government of late President Shehu Shagari with dedication, commitment and with all his deep legal knowledge and immense skills.
“He had a passion for service and even deeper obsession with matters of the law.
“Chief Akinjide will not be forgotten in a hurry for his was a powerful voice not only in matters of law and jurisprudence but also in national affairs, wherein he made many important interventions at critical periods.
“My condolences also go to the government and people of Oyo State over the loss of their outstanding son,” he said
Tinubu prayed that God Almighty grant Akinjide’s soul eternal rest and comfort his family and all those he left behind.
The late Akinjide served as minister of education in the government of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa during the first republic.
He was a member of the judicial systems sub-committee of the Constitutional Drafting Committee of 1975-1977 and later joined the National Party of Nigeria in 1978.
The legendary lawyer became the legal adviser of the party and was later appointed the Minister of Justice in the second republic.(NAN)
