Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and rights crusader Olisa Agbakoba, has expressed sorrow over the death of his sister-in-law, Hon. Justice Edith Agbakoba, who died early hours of Monday in Abuja.
Dr. Agbakoba in a statement signed by his Media Assistant, Niyi Odunmorayo, said:
“It is with great sadness that the Agbakoba Family of Umuasele Quarters Onitsha announce the passing of their wife, mother and sister, Justice Edith Agbakoba at Abuja this morning, the 6th of November, 2023.
“We ask all to, please pray for the repose of her soul.
“We thank the President of the National Industrial Court where Justice Agbakoba served with distinction, for the support of the court.”
Until her death, Her Lordship was married to Hon. Gozie Agbakoba, who represented Onitsha North / Onitsha South at the House of Representatives from 2003-2007. He is the elder brother of Agbakoba, SAN.
Born in London to the family of Edward Chike Ekpechi and Anthonia Chike Ekpechi, of Onitsha North LGA in Anambra State, Hon. Justice Agbakoba attended Notre Dame High School, London from 1974 to 1977 and Girls High School, Awkunanaw, Enugu from 1977 to 1980 and obtained her West African School Certificate (WASC).
She then proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1980 and obtained an LLB in 1984. Edith Agbakoba was called to the Bar in 1985 and performed her (NYSC) in 1985/86 service year.
She started her career as Counsel at the Legal Aid Office, Anambra State in 1986 and rose to the position of Principal Legal Officer in 1993. She was promoted to Assistant Chief Legal Aid Officer in 1997 and Zonal Director, Legal Aid Council in charge of five [5] states namely, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara States in 2003, a position She held till 2005 before her promotion to the position of Deputy Director, Civil Litigation, Legal Aid Council Headquarters and was later appointed Director of Litigation in 2011. She also served as Director, Civil Justice at the Legal Aid Council Headquarters, Abuja before her appointment as a Judge of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in 2013.
Justice E. N. Agbakoba who earned a Masters in Public Administration and Law from California South University, USA in 2012 was s a member of many professional bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Dispute Resolution Institute, Institute of Fraud Examiners and more.
