As the Ogun State Judiciary mourns the demise of a former Judge of the State High Court, Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Justice Ayobode Lokulo-Sodipe, the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has described him as an orator, whose death came as a sad loss to the judiciary.

          Justice Dipeolu, who said this at the Valedictory court sitting, which had in attendance the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, among other dignitaries, in honour of the late judge at the Ceremonial Hall of the Judiciary Complex, Abeokuta, stated that he started his career in the State before his elevation to the Court of Appeal.

          The Chief Judge noted that the late Justice Lokulo-Sodipe demise occurred in his chamber, while preparing to sit as the presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Akure division, saying his good communication skills with simplicity made him stand out.

          She added that he had a big memory of case law and could cite relevant judicial decisions with ease, as well as enthusiasm in appropriate circumstances, noting that "His Lordship saw the office of a judge as a high calling from God, to whom we shall all account at the end of time".

          In his reaction, State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade described him as a sound and erudite Judge, who died at a promising time, adding that his good legacy would never be forgotten in the State.

          Mr. Ogungbade agitated for healthcare centers to cater for members of staff during working hours, as well as recruitment of more Judges to reduce the workload of present ones in various courts, commiserating with the State Judiciary and the entire family at large.

          Reacting, the presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal, Akure division, Justice Oyebisi Omoleye said the deceased was a friend, whose legacy would continue to live in the court.  

          In his speech, a representative of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Afolabi Fashanu, referred to the late Judge as someone who had shown a clear and unquestionable dedication to duties.

          Late Hon. Justice Lokulo-Sodipe was born in Abeokuta on February 18, 1956 and began his legal practice on July 1, 1980 as a State Counsel and rose through the rank to become the Director of Public Prosecutions on January 1, 1996, while in the same year, he became the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary and equally appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Ogun State in December 1996. He was elevated to the court of Appeal in December, 2008