Kate Abiri, Ex-chief Bayelsa Chief Judge is dead

By Ologeh Joseph Chibu

Former Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri (retd.) Is dead.

A brief statement issued on Thursday by the Yenagoa branch chairman of Aleibiri Federated Community, Bibobra Kitchen announced the death of the jurist

However the statement did not disclose her cause of death but declared four days of mourning among her community folks in Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state.

“She died this morning 3rd Thursday August, 2023. As usual, the 4 days mourning/gathering commences today being Thursday 3rd @ her compound”, the statement said.

Abiri served the Bayelsa State Civil Service as the Chief Judge for 15 years after which led to her retirement on January 13th, during her 15-year term as chief judge, she swore in three governors in Bayelsa and one in Rivers states namely: Timipre Sylva (2008), Seriake Dickson (2012), Douye Diri (2020) and Nyesom Wike (2015).

A week-long activity with a special parade and valedictory court session was held in celebration of the retirement of the late Bayelsa Chief Judge.

The events ended spectacularly in a state banquet and the unveiling of three books in her honour including her biography titled, “Kate Abiri: Footprints on the Bench”; “Judges and Judging in Nigeria”; and “Bayelsa State Law Reports: Volume One.”

As of the time of filing this report, the state government is yet to make a statement on the passing of late Justice Abiri.