The Lagos State Judiciary was thrown into deep mourning on Monday following the sudden demise of Justice Abdulganiyu Safari, a highly regarded judge of the Epe Division of the Lagos State High Court. His death has not only left a vacuum within the judiciary but has also led to a temporary disruption of court sittings across several divisions.
Justice Safari, who until his passing handled family and probate matters, died in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 62. The late jurist was buried the same day in line with Islamic rites at his residence located on Alhaja Busola Street, near Singer Bus Stop in the Sango/Ota axis of Ogun State.
The news of his passing reverberated through the corridors of the judiciary, prompting the suspension of proceedings in many courts as fellow judges and court officials paid their respects. While some courtrooms are expected to resume sittings by Tuesday, others may remain closed until midweek as the legal community continues to grieve.
Justice Safari was not only a serving judge but also a former Chief Registrar of the Lagos State Judiciary. He was appointed to the bench on May 28, 2013, during the administration of former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). Over the years, he earned a reputation for integrity, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to justice, making his death a significant loss to the legal fraternity.
Confirming the sad development, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), M.O. Ayida, issued a statement on behalf of the judiciary, expressing profound sorrow. “With utmost submission to the unquestionable will of Almighty God, the Lagos State Judiciary announces the death of one of our choicest judges and former Chief Registrar, Hon. Justice Ganiyu Safari, who departed in the early hours of today,” the statement read.
Further tributes poured in from notable figures in the judiciary, including Mrs. Ololade Ige, Deputy Director of Public Affairs of the Lagos State Judiciary, and Mrs. Grace Alo, Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, both of whom expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the larger judicial community.
The impact of Justice Safari’s death also spilled into ongoing high-profile cases, one of which is the murder trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, the ex-Mass Communication undergraduate of the University of Lagos, accused of the 2021 murder of Usifo Michael Ataga, the late CEO of Super TV. Chidinma, alongside co-defendants Adedapo Quadri and Chioma Egbuchu, is facing a litany of charges including murder, stealing, and forgery.
At the last sitting, Justice Yetunde Adesanya, who is presiding over the matter, dismissed a no-case submission filed by Quadri and Egbuchu. She ruled that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case, thereby ordering all defendants to open their defence. However, the current suspension of court activities due to Justice Safari’s death may potentially delay further proceedings in the trial and several others.
As the Lagos State Judiciary comes to terms with this painful loss, the legacy of Justice Abdulganiyu Safari remains etched in the hearts of colleagues and litigants alike — a man remembered for his calm disposition, deep legal knowledge, and unrelenting pursuit of fairness within the justice system.
