Posted by By Ola Agbaje on
It was a glorious end to a glorious life for legal luminary, late Chief FRA Williams (SAN) as his remains was committed to mother earth at his residence in Shagamu avenue, Ilupeju Lagos at about 4.45pm on Friday.
It was a glorious end to a glorious life for legal luminary, late Chief FRA Williams (SAN) as his remains was committed to mother earth at his residence in Shagamu avenue, Ilupeju Lagos at about 4.45pm on Friday.
Before his interment, members of the legal profession and the church organized elaborate valedictory and funeral services in his honour.
During the valedictory session at a jam-packed auditorium of the Nigeria Law School auditorium Victoria Island, Lagos, eminent members of the legal profession including those from the Supreme Court, Body of Benchers and the Nigerian Bar Association took their turn to pay tribute to late Williams who passed away on March 26, 2005.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice (CJN) Muhammed Uwais, set the ball rolling in the tribute galore in honour of the legal luminary.
Justice Uwais praised the exemplary life of late Williams which he noted was dedicated fully to the service of legal profession and humanity at large.
'The entire citizenry has lost a great servant devoted to the maintenance of law and of the freedom it protects, we have lost and mourn a friend, a legal luminary, a colossus and a doyen of legal profession in Nigeria. A man who by dint of hardwork and umparallel devotion to the law profession made himself an institution and movement." He said.
In his tribute, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Chief Akinolu Olujrumi noted that the lesson every professional must learn from late Williams was that they must imbibe the virtue of hardwork before the pursuit of national gains.
'His life taught us that hardwork is key to success," adding 'FRA is second to none in his total devotion to his profession, hardwork and excellence".
The president of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) described Chief Williams as a constant threat to tyranny as he fought doggedly against obnoxious decrees of successive military dictators in the country.
Ojo noted that even in the brutal regime of late General Sani Abacha when virtually all opposition were silence and emasculated, Late Williams maintained a dogged opposition to the regimes apparent lack of respect for the rule of law.
On his part, the Inspector General of Police Sunday Ehindero described Williams as a unique inspiration to many who through, his exemplary talent, knowledge and care for humanity inspired several people to greatness.
Immediately after the valedictory service, the corpse of late Williams was moved to the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina where it was received by another mammoth crowd while traffic was held at stand still at CMS, Marina, broadstreet and all adjoining streets.
Bishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo who presided over the service urged Nigerians to emulate the great service to humanity which the late Chief Williams devoted to life during the life time.
He called on the political leaders and politicians not to see their position and calling as an avenue to procure worldly materials but rather an opportunity to serve humanity and prepare their way for the life after.
'We should learn to live everyday as if we are not going to be alive again. It pays to know Christ and to be an agent of change for a new life and better Nigeria. We need to care for the disables, the less privilege, we must borrow a leaf from Williams" he said.
Ademowo stressed that it is appointed on to man to die once and after that judgement must follow. 'We cannot be here forever". he said.
Among the eminent Nigerians that graced the occasion are the former Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme, former Secretary General of Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Interim head of state, Chief Earnest Shonekan, Former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bokaji Akinyemi.
Others include Lagos state Governor, Ashiwaju Bola Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, wife of Vice President Titi Abubukar Atiku, former Governor of Central Bank, Chief Ola Vincent, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, late Williams brother and doyen of Accountancy Professor Akintola Williams, Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University Professor Mokanyiola Rogers.
Political chieftains included Chief Funso Williams, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olamihn Ajayi, retired Chief judges of Lagos State, Justice Lori, Justice Chrsitopher Segun, Professor Ben Nwabueze SAN, Ambassador Matthew Mbu and others were among eminent citizens that bid Williams the final farewell.
After the Church service his corpse was moved to his residence around 4.30 p.m. where he was laid to rest in tomb besides his late wife.