TRIBUTE TO A DEAR FRIEND.

                                      .

  JUSTICE ONUOHA AKACHI:  My Unsung Hero Dies....  

                                        

                                 

late Justice Onuoha

Isioma (a mutual friend and professional colleague Justice and I both met at the Nigerian Law School) had called me at precisely 8:39 this Sunday morning and I was too engaged to pick up. 

Of course, I didn't read anything sinister to the call because it's not unusual for her to call me on a Sunday morning since we both attend the Abuja branch of the Common Wealth of Zion Assembly church popularly known and called COZA. 

I had thought she wanted to ask if I would be in church for the Sunday service. 

By the time I became less busy, I decided that there was no need to return her call;  the service must have commenced in earnest and so, I resolved to call her much later in the afternoon.

 I therefore continued with my online streaming of the church service. 

But before I could return her call as resolved, I saw Isioma's call again at about 12:43pm and I picked. 

The discussion went thus: 

"Isi... (as I fondly call her), I missed your call, sorry o, I dey Benin, I didn't come to church today”

 "Prestige, how far? I get bad news o". She responded.

When she talked about bad news, I thought of several things within seconds. And somehow, I knew it was death related news!

 But my mind never went to Justice (or Justus) our mutual friend.

 Then, she gave me the big bad news. It was like a blow under the belle.

 Perhaps it would have been better to receive the late pugilist, Muhammed Ali's blow than the bad news. 

Isioma's news was like a deadly blow and it was shocking, devastating and heart wrecking.

"Justus is dead!" she continued. 

Late Justice Onuoha

 I pretended I didn't hear her properly. 

"What did you say?"

"I said Justus is dead" 

I laughed and said "how can you say that Isi?" it wasn't a question really, it was more of a comment. 

"Justus died on Friday in a motor accident on his way to Owerri." 

I went numb; for a moment, I couldn't breathe.

But I could hear Isioma's "hello," "hello..." from the other end. 

I was unable to answer and after a while, the line went dead! 

Tears flowed freely like water fall. But I didn't believe my dear friend, Justus was gone! 

I paused for while, brought out my handkerchief and wiped my tears. 

I decided to dial his phone number and the network was unusually too good this afternoon in Benin as within some micro seconds, the call went through. 

I silently prayed that I will hear Justus' amiable and lively voice. 

He often calls me 'Presido' and for the first time, I sincerely craved to hear him say "Hello Presido or Presido, how far?", as it is typical of him. 

That never came. Rather, I heard a female voice who later introduced herself as his immediate younger sister. 

I broke down, urging her to pass on the phone to Justus as I must speak with him. 

It was as if my heart was about to drop as I was breathing very fast! 

All I heard from the downcast and terribly feeble and dejected voice was that "Justice's corpse is in the mortuary."

I shouted and the tears freely rolled down my eyes again. 

I couldn't even console the young lady. 

I couldn't say anything coherent. I wanted to speak, but the words wouldn't form. I uttered nothing for a while as words would not come out and I sensed that the lady tried to remain calm and bear with me. 

Perhaps, she understood the shock.

I took a deep breath and introduced myself as Justus' friend and former roommate at the Nigerian Law School. 

I chatted with her briefly in low tones and highly inaudible manner, getting as much information as possible. 

"When is the burial and how is your mum" I enquired.  

"We will not keep him in the mortuary for long. My mum is here" she said. 

I didn't tell her to 'accept my sincere condolence' as people normally say.

 I didn't want to tell her that on account of a friend and a great roommate during my law school days in Bwari, Abuja.

 Besides, it's a personal loss, a colossal loss at that. 

Rather, I told her very confidently that Justus will make heaven.  

"He would make heaven", I emphasized. And I ended the call.

Yes, he would make heaven because I believe in the existence of Heavens and hell and Justus was a godly young man, a very godly man. A die-hard optimist, full of life and tall dreams. 

I will continue this tribute later. Am so very weak, sad and worn-out right now. 

Rest on man, rest on….