By Abdulrasheed Ibrahim
The angel of death has struck again by taking away Hon. Justice A. G. Safari of the Lagos State Judiciary.The sad news came in the early morning of Sunday,13th April 2025 to the rude shock of many particularly the judges and lawyers.
Before his appointment as Hon. Judge of the High Court of Lagos State,he had served as the Chief Registrar of the Court. He has been described many practitioners who have appeared before him as a wonderful Jurist. According to a lawyer, Umoru Bolakale, Esq. :
“I appeared before him on Thursday last week for a preemptive order which he granted. He was hail, hearty and cerebral only to learn he died early this morning. So unfortunately, a gentleman per excellence is gone. He was very upright and readily assisting Counsels in his court proceedings. May Allah grant him Aljarna Fridaus.”
In a statement released by Makinde Akeem Olasunkanmi Esq., the Publicity Secretary of NBA Eti-Osa branch ,the late Jurist had been buried at about 4pm in his residence at Sango/Ota, Ogun State. The publicity secretary further stated that :
“The passing of Hon. Justice A.G. Safari is a profound loss not only to the Eti-Osa Judicial Division but to the entire Lagos State Judiciary and the legal profession as a whole. The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba led a distinguished delegation of judicial officers, including Hon. Justice Oshodi, Hon. Justice Adamson, Hon. Justice Abdul Ganiu, Hon. Justice Animahun, Hon. Justice Balogun, Hon. Justice Muyideen Teju, among others, to the burial….Until his last breath, Hon. Justice Safari was a beacon of life, integrity, and passionate dedication to the Lagos State Judiciary. His untimely departure has created a vacuum that will be deeply felt by the legal community and the broader society.”
Many lawyers who are authors of law books have also lamented the demise of Hon. Justice A. G. Safari as according to Mrs. Tomi Ajayi, a prolific author of law books while lamenting the death of the late Jurist said : “Justice Safari that patronises authors of Law books”
True to this, when I first published and debut with my book : “Law Practice Kit” in 2017, I received a phone call from his court registrar placing order for 5 copies of the books and made instant payment to show how friendly and encouraging the late Jurist to the authors of books.
Since what is certain for every human being has taken away this wonderful Jurist, may the Almighty Allah accept him and bless his soul. May Almighty Allah console and protect the family he left behind and give everyone of us including the Lagos State Judiciary the fortitude to bear the great loss.
ADIEU to Justice A. G Safari who has joined the rank of Jurists who died while actively serving their fatherland on the judicial bench!
The wonderful Jurist, continue to rest in peace!
