TANKO, OZO-ESON, TWO GREAT FRIENDS I LOST
-By Zik Gbemre
I met the Hon Justice Tanko Mahammad the first time at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja for the swearing in of Hon Justice Sybil Gbagi as Justice of the Appeal Court.
I noticed something unique about this great jurist. Contrary to some people's views, Tanko was a brilliant judge. He didn't read from any script when he delivered his speech eloquently on the occasion.
After the ceremony, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, husband to the celebrant that drew us there, took me and wife to Chief Justice Tanko's office where he formally introduced us.
In Tanko's office, we took some photographs the official photographer of the Supreme Court enlarged in two big frames which Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi later delivered to me as souvenir.
One of my lawyer daughters who practiced under Chief Wole Olanipekun for a while when she saw the memorable photos described Tanko her unbiased thoughts, "Chief Justice Tanko is a no-nonsense person", she affirmed.
My daughter described Tanko who she referred to as Chief Judge Tanko as one who doesn't take unnecessary legal arguments from any barrister & solicitor of Nigeria no matter the status of your legal practice.
That day as I, my wife and Gbagi stepped into Tanko's office and Gbagi introduced me as his elder brother, the humble Tanko stood up for me and wife and asked us to sit directly by his side before he took his sit. He was an intimate friend of Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi.
The Emir of Lafia, Hon Justice Sidi Bage Mohammad who was a judge of the Supreme Court, a confidant of Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi joined us in Tanko's office and Tanko also stood up for him.
I join rest of the nation and the immediate family to mourn this painful passing of the quintessential jurist.
While the dust is yet to settle on the pains of losing Tanko, I'm confronted with yet another sad news of the passing of Dr Peter Ozo-Eson.
A dutiful family man and true crusader of masses right to good life, Dr Ozo-Eson was a countryman who never bent the truth.
He was an intellectual, academician of high repute and advocate of the masses, attributes evident in his service to humanity when he was Secretary-General of the NLC.
To his spouse, Prof Philo Ozo-Eson and the entire Dr Peter Ozo-Eson family, I share the grief with you at this challenging moment, asking God to comfort you.
May the Souls of erudite Justice Tanko and humble, kindhearted Dr Ozo-Eson Rest In Peace.
Zik Gbemre
December 16,2026
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