Longest serving Chief Justice is dead

Retired Justice Kate Abiri, the immediate past Chief Judge of Bayelsa has passed on at the age of 65.

Abiri’s death was announced by the Chief Registrar at the State Judiciary Headquarters, Mr Amaebi Orukari, on Thursday, August 3.

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. The Bayelsa State Judiciary will miss her pioneering effort in information technology, infrastructural development, and contribution to the legal community and the Bayelsa State in general.”

Abiri retired from the Bayelsa State Judiciary on January 13 after serving as Chief Judge for 15 years and clocking the mandatory retirement age of 65. During her service as the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Abiri swore in four governors into office in Bayelsa and Rivers State respectively.