The legal community in Abuja has been thrown into deep mourning following the sudden death of Barrister Ogechukwu Okafor, Secretary-General of Otu Oka-iwu Abuja, the Association of Igbo Lawyers in the Federal Capital Territory, and a prominent member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch.
Barrister Okafor, fondly known as Oge among colleagues and friends, passed on in the afternoon after a courageous battle with lingering health challenges. Her death came as a painful shock to members of the Association who had remained hopeful following what was believed to be a recent improvement in her condition.
Announcing the tragic development, the President-General of Otu Oka-iwu Abuja, Chief Chidi Udekwe, conveyed the devastating news in an emotional message addressed to members of the Bar. He disclosed that despite being rushed back to the hospital after suffering a sudden relapse, all efforts to stabilise her proved unsuccessful before she answered what he described as the “call of the Almighty.”
Chief Udekwe lamented the cruel timing of her passing, noting that the Association is still grappling with grief over the loss of another member, Princess Chigbo, whose burial preparations are ongoing. He described Oge’s death as yet another moment when “the sun has set at noon” for the Association, leaving members overwhelmed by sorrow and disbelief.
Widely respected for her dedication, warmth, and professional commitment, Barrister Okafor was known as a unifying figure within both Otu Oka-iwu Abuja and the NBA Abuja Branch. Her passing has left a void that her colleagues say will be difficult to fill.
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