A valedictory court session in honour of the late Festus Muokelu Ozioko turned dramatic on Thursday after a lawyer humorously urged the court to “raise the deceased back to life,” prompting laughter and astonishment among judges, lawyers, and guests at the High Court Complex in Enugu.
The session, held at the Umezuluike Auditorium, drew a large gathering of serving and retired judges, magistrates, chairmen of various branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Enugu State, legal practitioners, and family members of the deceased, including his wife, Eucharis Ozioko, and their children.
The atmosphere shifted briefly when Barrister Alex Amujiogu, while delivering a tribute on behalf of Temple of Justice Chambers—where the late Ozioko was a respected colleague—made an unexpected “application” before the court.
He said:
“Moved a motion, urging the presiding Judge to grant an application to raise the dead colleague to life.”
The statement immediately stirred reactions in the courtroom, which was filled with emotion, reflection, and humour as colleagues paid glowing tributes to the late lawyer.
Responding, the presiding judge, Hon. Justice A.O. Onovo, who represented the Chief Judge of Enugu State, expressed surprise at the nature of the “application” and swiftly declined jurisdiction to entertain it.
The court held that no existing law supports such a request, adding that it could not make an unenforceable order.
In his ruling, the judge stated that “no law as presently constituted, even in recent human history, empowers the court to grant such an application,” stressing that “the court cannot make an unenforceable order as the era has not come for such an order to be granted.” The application was accordingly dismissed.
Beyond the moment of levity, speakers at the session described Barrister Ozioko as a lawyer of “high repute, integrity and probity,” noting that he left behind a legacy worthy of emulation.
Barr. F.M. Ozioko, who died at the age of 69, was honoured with prayers and tributes as colleagues prayed for his peaceful repose, with some expressing hope in the Christian belief of resurrection on the last day.
