PMB, Yahaya Bello mourn former Attorney-General, Abdullahi Ibrahim

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday mourned the passing of the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abdullahi Ibrahim.

Mr Ibrahim, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, served as the Minister of Education, Science and Technology and later as Minister of Transportation under the earlier military regime of Buhari as Head of State from 1984 to 1985.

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The deceased later served as the AGF in the regime of the military Head of State, Abdusalami Abubakar, who handed over to the civilian administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999.

Newsmen earlier reported that Mr Ibrahim died of COVID-19 at the Garki General Hospital, Abuja, on Sunday and has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Garba Shehu, President Muhammadu Buhari said the deceased was an “exemplary lawyer and statesman with impeccable integrity who will be remembered for his selfless service to the country.”

The President described Mr Ibrahim as “an extraordinary philanthropist who rendered legal services without charge to many who could not pay.”

He said the deceased would be remembered for doing so much to empower the girl child, including access to education.

He added, “His work as a member of the Nigerian team that negotiated the Maritime Boundary Treaty between Nigeria and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and the Unitisation Agreement of the Zafiro/Ekanga Oil Fields has left an indelible mark on the trajectory of this country’s history and development. His accomplishments will continue to make us proud.”

“On behalf of his family and the entire nation, President Buhari extends condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family and the government and the people of Kogi State.”

In a related development the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has expressed deep shock over the death of a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abdullahi Ibrahim (SAN), describing his demise as a colossal loss to the nation and the state in particular.

Bello, in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, described the late Abdullahi as an accomplished legal practitioner and administrator who has put so much into the service of the nation in different capacities.

He said the sterling contributions of the late legal icon to legal profession right from when he was called to the English Bar in 1963 until he reached the pinnacle of his career as the first SAN from Northern Nigeria remain remarkable and landmark feat he would continue to be remembered for.

Bello, while commiserating with the immediate members of his family and members of the Bar and Bench over the sad loss, prayed the Almighty Allah to grant his soul Aljannah firdaus.