Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri paid the Abiri’s and Waritimi’s families a condolence visit, over the loss of the immediate past Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Hon. Justice Kate Abiri.
Justice Abiri who died on Thursday, 3rd of August 2023 aged 65, was Bayelsa’s longest serving Chief Judge, who served from 2008 and 2023, and swore in four Governors, three from Bayelsa and one from Rivers State.
Governor Diri who described Justice Kate Abiri as a legal icon and an incorruptible judge, stated that she passed on when her services to the state were still needed.
“These are very tough and hard times for us as a State, and for the families of Abiri and Waritimi.
As a State, we have lost a legal icon, a Jurist of national repute, and an incorruptible judge, and that is what Justice Abiri was.
As a Governor, I’m coming to console, but I also need to be consoled, because, Justice Kate Abiri was my friend, sister and prayer partner. There is no day as Chief Judge, that she will get to me, and after we finish our official engagement, that we will not hold hands to pray. She will lead the prayers, for God to grant me wisdom to lead this State.
The family of Waritimi has been a family I have known, long before Bayelsa was even created, and as you are all aware, her father, Chief Waritimi was also part of those who worked for the creation of this state.
We thank God for the life and times of Justice Kate Abiri, that we have so many good things to say about her.
On behalf of the Government and people of Bayelsa State, we condole with the Husband, Children, the Abiri and Waritimi families, the Aleibiri and Ayamasa communities and Ekeremor Local Government as a whole. We pray God to grant you the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” Governor Diri stated.
On the entourage of the Governor were, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Tare Porri, member representing Ekeremor constituency I, and his constituency 2 counterpart, Hon. Living Mitin, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, Secretary to the State Government, members of the State Executive Council, Dr. Peter Akpe, Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, Principal Executive Secretary, Government House and other top government officials.
