TRIBUTE TO LATE JUSTICE AKINTOLA OLUFEMI EJIWUNMI CON, JSC (Rtd) BY MR PARRY B. O. OSAYANDE (DIC) Rtd, CFR, OFR, NPM, mni. HON. CHAIRMAN POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION

 Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are gathered here today to witness the ceremony marking the end of the life and times of our beloved colleague, brother and friend late Hon. Justice Akintola Ejiwunmi CON, JSC (Rtd) who passed to eternal glory on Friday 20^th June, 2008.

Born in 1936 to the family of Chief Folawewo Ejiwunmi, the young Akintola began his early career as a clerk in the Nigerian Railway corporation before gaining admission to study at the University of Hull England in 1958. He was called to bar in 1962 and rose in his career to become Judge of the Supreme Court of Nigeria before retiring at the age of 70 years.

Indeed late Ejiwunmi had so demonstrated such sterling qualities and uncommon spirit of commitment in the service of his country Nigeria that not long after retirement from the Judiciary, he was again called to take up another appointment as a full time commissioner in Police service Commission, the office he was sworn into office barely two months ago, precisely on the 15^th of April, 2008.

Within the few months of his service in the Commission, late Hon. Justice Ejiwunmi left no one in doubt that he had a mission to accomplish. His gentle nature and humility was infectious to all those who interacted with him. His wise counsel and humble disposition was very admirable particularly in the Standing Committee on Legal Matters where he served as Chairman.

As a renowned and time-tested jurist, late Justice Ejiwunmi brought his wealth of experience to bear on each of the other committees where he was a member. During the recently concluded promotion exercise for Senior Officers of the Nigerian Police Force his stand on Justice and fairness was openly demonstrated such that the Police hierarchy was convinced that for once the wind of 'equal opportunity for all' must indeed be allowed to blow across the Nigerian Police Force as well.

Certainly the late Judicial colossus will forever be remembered for his contributions not only in the Judiciary but particularly in the Police service Commission which has set the agenda to reposition the Nigerian Police Force. Indeed his departure has created a vacuum in the Commission, we only have to take solace in the 'Rock of Ages' remembering that all other 'Ground is sinking sand.' His contribution to the service of his father land can best be described in the quotation from the Soviet Mariner:

Turbulent times of great historical upheavals produce personalities who as it were in themselves are the soul of the age, the bearers of the new, the forward, the supreme elements who struggle ahead blazing a trail and earning for themselves a place in the history of mankind.

Honourable Justice Ejiwunmi easily qualifies as such a personality in the historical development of Nigeria, because he has left his footprints on the sands of time. Today while we mourn the passing way of a great Nigerian, an icon and a legend of the Judiciary, we bid him goodbye for ever. We pray to God Almighty to receive his soul. Goodbye Tola', goodbye.

While late Justice Ejiwunmi sleeps with his creator we can with confidence say 'he has fought a good fight and has won the race. What remains is the crown of righteousness which the Lord God, the best judge will give to him, not only to him but to all those who love his coming’

May God in his infinite mercy, grant his soul peaceful repose and his family and associates the fortitude to bear this great irreparable loss.   Amen.