Justice Kate Abiri, who served as the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State until recently, has passed away at the age of 65.
The announcement regarding his demise was made on Thursday by Mr. Amaebi Orukari, a former Chief Registrar at State Judiciary Headquarters, High Court.
The statement read, ‘With a deep sense of loss, the Honourable Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Hon. Justice Matilda Abrakasa Ayemieye, on behalf of the management and Staff of the Bayelsa State Judiciary announces the demise of Hon. Justice Kate Abiri, CON, whose sad event occurred on the 3rd of August, 2023.’
‘The Hon. Justice Kate Abiri passed on after a brief illness at the Glory Land Hospital, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Until her death, she was the immediate past Chief Judge of Bayelsa State.’
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‘The Bayelsa State Judiciary will miss her pioneering effort in information technology, infrastructural development, contribution to the legal community and the Bayelsa State in general.’
The statement mentioned that the burial arrangements will be made public at an appropriate time, considering consultations with the family.
Born in Aleibiri, the deceased jurist had the remarkable privilege of conducting swearing-in ceremonies for four governors – Timipre Sylva, Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Nyesome Wike (Rivers), and Douye Diri (Bayelsa) – as well as two Acting governors, Rt Hon Werinipre Seibarugu (Bayelsa) and the late Rt Hon Nestor Binabo (Bayelsa).
Also, her legacy includes being the trailblazing first female to hold the esteemed position of the substantive Chief Judge in the state, marking the beginning of her tenure with the swearing-in on March 20th, 2008.
During her illustrious tenure, she served for an impressive 14 years and 10 months, falling just two months shy of completing a magnificent 15 years in office.