By CHUKS EKE
It was a tribute galore for the late Justice D.O.C. Amaechina, a serving Judge of Anambra State High Court as his remains was committed to the mother earth at his home town, Nri in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra
Among those those who paid their last respect to the late judge were the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, members of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Anaocha Branch; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Barr. Emeka Ohuoha, former chairmen of Anaocha and Aguata branches of NBA, Chris Adimora and Clifford Iloegbune Okoye.
According to the CJ, Anyachebelu, “Hon. Justice Amaechina was a good man, a legal icon and a gentleman. He will be missed. We feel the pains with the family that is why we are here to commiserate with them”.
The Permsec. Anambra Ministry of Works, Barr. Ohuoha who happens to be a family friend to the bereaved also consoled them to take heart saying he would continue to pray for the only son of the deceased who has become an orphan.
“The deceased was my close friend. We served together in the ministry. His late wife Nkechi was my wife’s friend.The bereaved should continue to trust in God who giveth and taketh”, said Ohuoha.
Former chairman of NBA, Idemili branch, Ben Okoko described the late Amaechina as straightforward judge, adding, Infact, he gave a wonderful judgement in my favour during one of his proceedings
Anaocha NBA chairman, Kaine Ananwune with other branch executive members and stakeholders prayed God to give the family the fortitude to bear the loss adding that Amaechina’s only son shuold follow his late father’s legacies.
“By implication as a legal practitioner he was one of us. We also call on other Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia indigenous legal practioners to think home and identify with our developmental projects. Amaechina’s son should strive to perform better than the good records of his Lordship”,said Ananwune.
Also, one of Amaechina’s protege, Chizoba Isidor Nwokoye Esq. described the deceased as one without replacement and a humble philanthropist. “He was my mentor. Although he died at 56, he lived a fulfilled life.He tutored us to be focused, put God first and do things the right way”.
Similarly, Former Director of Public Prosecutions, Barr. Godson Emenike described Amaechina as an honest and selfless hardworker.” I was Mgbedike’s bestman when he married late in 2001, he had a son and the wife died in 2003. Since then he refused to remarry. It is one of the miracles of life”.
Reciting the homily given earlier by Anglican Archbishop, Niger Province and Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev’d Alex Ibezim, another priest, Rev Dr. Chukwukaodinaka Oragu advised people to emulate the life of Amaechina, a man of integrity who lived a simple life to serve others.
