Following the death of Fred Agbaje, a foremost human rights lawyer, his chambers, on Sunday released a statement confirming the death of the legal icon, revealing that the late lawyer died in Lagos, not in London as was widely reported on numerous media platforms.
In the statement signed by Kennedy Osunwa for the chambers, Fred Agbaje died in Lagos State University Teaching hospital (LUTH) in the early hours of Saturday.
“A resolute defender our time, a legal lord, a rare gem has passed unto glory leaving a huge gap in the legal jurisprudence. Burial arrangement would soon commence,” the statement reads in part.
Also commenting on the death of Fred Agbaje, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, former chairman, NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), described the late lawyer as a rare gem.
“Fred Agbaje was a human rights activist of renown and a crusader. His indelible marks and footprints on the sands of time are well known to not just members of the learned profession in Nigeria but the common man in the street.
“We shall surely miss him. He has fully paid his dues. What is left now is for us to immortalize him so that his spirit will continue to inspire and motivate others,” Gadzama said.
While also reacting to death of Fred Agbaje, Joseph Otteh, a human rights lawyer and Executive Secretary of Access to Justice, described Agbaje as legal icon who contributed a lot to the Nigerian legal profession especially its jurisprudence.
“It’s sad news and honestly I am saddened. Fred Agbaje was an icon and he was such a generous man. He was a pleasure to work with. He contributed immensely to the Nigerian legal profession and he will be sorely missed. He came, fought his battles and I believe he came, fought his battles and won. I pray that his soul rests in peace,” Otteh said.