MEET FRANK OSHANUGOR
By Patrick Ochei
The entire Delta North Senatorial District otherwise known as Anioma was thrown into mourning on Tuesday as news trended on the social media announcing the death of a legal luminary and Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Samuel Chukwudumebi Oseji.
The entire country was indeed dazed as the saddest news of the year filtered in. Initially, it was a subtle announcement only to the ears of the wise.
However, hours later, the news had spread to majority of ears, breaking hearts and drawing rivers of tears out of the eyes of many.
The Anioma people could be heard in clusters in some quarters saying “We lost our illustrious son. We lost our hope at the apex court of the nation. We lost a pride among known jurists.”
Late Hon. Justice Samuel Chukwudumebi Oseji was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria just last year, and his appointment confirmed towards the end of the year 2020.
An elaborate Grand Reception was held in his honour on the 28th December, 2020, at his home town of Idumuje-Unor in Aniocha North LGA of Delta State. The who is who in Anioma and Delta State, including the number one citizen of the State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa were on ground to honour this illustrious rare breed and cerebral legal entity. It was a good opportunity to establish a new relationship with this man who was tipped to become one of the finest and cynosure of all eyes in our apex judicial system.
Less than a year of his elevation, the tragic has happened. This is the tale of Nigeria where collateral damages easily happen.
He did not die of Covid-19. He was just ill and surgery was carried out on him. At the end of the surgical operation, he was moved into ICU (intensive care unit). When it was noticed that the worst might happen, he was billed to be flown out to a more advanced clime where life matters and where medical equipment are adequately and readily available for emergencies.
Arrangements had been made and he was scheduled to be flown abroad by 11am on Tuesday but he could not live to see that hour as he died earlier.
Several prominent Anioma leaders confirmed this news, including the Justice’s younger brother and former Provost of College of Education (Technical) Asaba, Dr. Ignatius Ezoem. He simply said it was devasting but to God should all praises go to. He added that everything humanly possible was done, and there was nothing more to do.
According to him, “Only what has not happened that its medicine could still be available”