Death is an inevitable obligation of every living souls on earth. The name James Ocholi was personally unpopular to me in this country political terrain, I got to know his name when a ministerial nominee from my State (Oyo State), Barrister Bayo Shittu mentioned his name during the screening by the senate that "Ocholi was sent to him by President Buhari to pacify him and reduced the rate at which the feud between him and the incumbent Governor of Oyo state and the then All Progressive Congress gubernatorial ticket holder" which he believes was marred with irregularities and violation of rule of law, he mentioned how the SAN played a major role and addressed the internal wrangling amicably.
As an ardent supporter of President Buhari, I believe in his principles, character and leadership qualities. This made me develop interest to know the people he entrusted with his herculean tasks that's when I came across this man's name again and I searched about him and got detailed information about this reputable man. I was amazed and entangled with what I read, saw and heard about this highly intelligent former Saleem University Chancellor .It was through him I got to know that it does not matter if a cat is white or black as long as it catches mice. He was an exceedingly courageous, inherently honest, highly intelligent, extremely loyal, humble and God fearing man.
Like the President said in his tribute to the late achiever, he was a man among men, an emblem of loyalty and an Iroko among trees. Ocholi was one of President Buhari trusted confidant and ally which he entrusted all legal issues to, he discharged his duties without any form of incompleteness. He was among the few gubernatorial aspirants of CPC that President Buhari toured and campaigned for from wards to local governments and other nooks and crannies of Kogi state. He lost the election to Capt Idris wada in 2011 and accepted defeat with a goodwill message and successful tenure. Throughout those years he was moulding himself, making consultations and reconciling on how his beloved country will survive from impunity, corruption and maladministration and be among the comity of developed nations. I wasn't surprise when the arch Bishop of Kogi and labour Minister was paying their tributes during the service of songs to the departed soul, Senator Ngige said he played an unusual role during the merger which metamorphized into APC, he forgot ego, pride hierarchy and worked under a junior lawyer who was not a SAN and subjected himself as his deputy to make sure the change he desired come to stay. Many tributes and accolades have been said to the father of five wards he was a devoted Christian, a good husband, a leader par excellence, a bridge builder, a generous man who adopted a son making five children he left behind. It is a pity he is no more, it is sad that we lost him by a ghastly accident with wife and a son, it is pathetic and tragic.
The legal luminary will solely be missed by Saleem family worldwide , the Igala community, The great people of confluence state, the judiciary arm and the entire country.
By Adeyemi Babatunde Hamed
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