Remains Of Honourable Justice Alinnor Laid To Rest Amid Eulogies

CHUKA UBAH

Legal icon and former Chief Judge of Imo State, Honourable Justice (Sir) Lawrence Chukwunyere Alinnor, was on Thursday 16th December, 2021, laid to rest at his Country Home, Umulolo, Abba, Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State, amid eulogies.  

Honourable Justice Alinnor, who died in August after a brief illness, began his final journey with a Valedictory Session on Wednesday 15th December, 2021, at Hon. Justice Oputa High Court Complex, Owerri, the State Capital.

 At the Valedictory Session, the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, NBA Chairman, Owerri Branch, Jude Ogamba, Body of Senior Advocates Imo State, the Cork of the Bar and other legal practitioners eulogised the Legal Luminary, Sir L.C. Alinnor (Chief Judge, Retired), for making a huge mark in the Judiciary. 

 They however, said that the Judiciary, Imo State in particular, is consoled by the fact that aside living a fulfilled life and leaving legacies behind, he also left worthy successors in the noble profession to continue from where he stopped.

On Thursday, 16th December, the remains of Honourable Justice Alinnor left Aladinma Hospital Morgue for a brief stopover at his Trans-Egbu residence, Owerri.After that, it was the Cancellation by the Knights of St. John International at the KSJI Hall, New Owerri, Imo State.

Following the conclusion of the Cancellation by the Knights of St. John International, the motorcade began the final journey to his home town, Umulolo, Abba, with brief stopovers at Amaraku, Amukwe and Ekitiafor heralded by gun salutes before he was received by Uburu Council of Chiefs at Abba.  

At his Country Home, there was a brief lying-in-state, which afforded family members, relatives, associates, Knights and all present the opportunity of seeing and paying their last respect to the respected Community leader popularly known by his chieftaincy title “Agunaecheibe”. 

After the brief lying-in-state, the motorcade move over to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Abba, for the Requiem Mass. The Requiem Mass, which was presided over by His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Dr. Augustine T. Ukwuoma, Bishop of Orlu Diocese, attracted huge number of Catholic priests and the religious.

 During the Mass, the Bishop spoke in glowing terms about Honourable Justice (Sir) Alinnor; describing him as a great soldier of Christ. He said he will surely be missed by the Church for his numerous contributions to the growth and spread of the work of God. 

Speaking to our correspondent about Honourable Justice L. C. Alinnor, his first son, Barrister Lotanna Alinnor, who said he could not find the right words to express how much he missed his father, poured encomiums that he was a great man and that the huge crowd, which the funeral attracted, was a testimonial to the good works he did and the huge influence he had over the years.  

“My dad was fearless but I could not fathom why. I just discovered the secret of his fearlessness; having already dug his grave since 1991, he was not afraid of death. And once you’re not afraid of death, you’ll not be afraid of man” Barr. Lotanna Alinnor said.  

The burial, which was held amid very tight security, attracted dignitaries from all walks of life. There was more than enough to eat and drink as guests enjoyed melodious tunes from the band stands.High point of the grand event was the condolence visit by the in-laws from far and near spiced up with the performance by traditional dance groups.

 As a lawyer, Sir L.C. Alinnor distinguished himself and carved out a niche for himself as “Mr. Demurrer”. Those were in the days when demurrer was part of the rules of the Court. He showed much dexterity in the handling of cases and it is on record that argued and won several cases in Court, which today, are heavily relied on by lawyers in arguing their cases in Court. Principal among which is the case of Nwosu Vs Imo State Environmental Authority, which he fought and won up to the Supreme Court. The case has become a ‘locus classicus’ in Nigeria.

 As a Judge, Honourable Justice Lawrence Alinnor exhibited incorruptibility in the dispensation of justice, such that he was referred to as the incorruptible Judge. He was confirmed the substantive Chief Judge in year 2000 and held the position as Chief Judge until his retirement in 2002.

 Even after retirement, he still served Imo State in various capacities. He served as the Chairman, Governing Council, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Chairman Orlu Elders Forum and many others.