The Minister of State for Labour, James Ocholi, has died in a road crash along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
The accident in which Ocholi’s wife, Blessing and son, Aaron also died, occurred at Rijana, Kilometre 57 on the highway.
Ocholi and his wife were married for 27 years.
Kaduna State sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Mr. Francis Udoma said: “The minister and his son died on the spot; the wife died in the government hospital in Doka, Kaduna State.
“The driver, the chief detail, the orderly and the P.A (Personal Assistant ) were injured.”
Kaduna Police spokesman Zubairu Abubakar confirmed the accident, which he said occurred because the Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) the family was travelling in lost a tyre while on speed.
A source said the Minister was on his way back to Abuja after attending a thanksgiving church service in Kaduna.
Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Kaduna Sector Command ACM Victor Nwokolo told The Nation on telephone that three persons were confirmed dead.
He said the accident occurred when the tyre of the Lexus SUV they were traveling in got bust, causing the vehicle to somersault.
He said bodies of the dead and those injured were taken to the National Hospital.
He said: “There is an accident involving the minister’s convoy. Our men are on ground at the scene of the accident, but I am not the one to disclose what has happened now since he is a serving minister.
“It happened at Doka village and I am not on ground there. We have a unit at Kateri and the ambulance is there. I am talking with them on telephone.”
Residents of Kogi State, where the late minister hailed from, were yesterday thrown into shock.
The eminent lawyer, who hailed from Ogbabede/Abocho in Dekina Local Government Area, was one of President Mohammadu Buhari’s nominees.
Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello was shocked by the minister’s death.
Bello described the late Ocholi as a pragmatic, dynamic, humane and brilliant law officer, who was known around the world for his dexterous approach to legal and political issues and one of the most unwavering constitutional lawyers Nigeria has ever produced.
The governor recollected how the late Senior Advocate of Nigeria joined other progressive-minded individuals around the country to drive the intellectual pillars of the All Progressives Congress (APC), just as he described the late Ocholi as a complete gentleman who was irrevocably committed to the advancement of Nigeria.
He described his death as an irreparable loss to Kogi State, Nigeria, the APC and the legal profession, praying for the repose of the soul of the departed.
The APC Kogi State chapter, described Ocholi’s death as a great loss.
Treasurer Ismail Yahaya Adesayo described the death “very unfortunate”.
He remembered the late Ocholi as a fine leader who meant well for state and Nigeria.
He lamented that Ocholi died when his service was most needed in the state, praying to God to grant him eternal rest and give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
He prayed to God not to take away the state’s leaders again, adding that the party is mourning.
Ocholi was the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) governorship candidate during the December 2011 governorship election in Kogi State. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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I! RIPP. Bhuari fix our roads.
ReplyDeleteMay his soul rest in peace
ReplyDeleteWhat a bad news, may their souls rest in peace. Amen
ReplyDeleteIt is a pity
ReplyDeleteMay their soul rest in peace amen.Let the spc led govt do these roads to add to the various ones GEJ government did.let them start the dualization of this road in honorand memory of this hon. Minister. We are watching.
Wat exactly are u watching, why do u guys like to politicalize every ten in Nigeria. A family just died and u are politicalizing already. I pity ur generation
DeleteMay His soul RIP... the rich also cry. #TheyShouldFixTheRoads. People have died. Its sad it happen this way, buh may be this will serves as a lesson.
ReplyDeleteMay their souls rest in peace. AMEN. By now we don't suppose to have bad road in this country. The accident was caused due to bad road.
ReplyDeletehmmmm wat a great loss, may their soul rest in peace
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad story. R I P
ReplyDeleteIt is Sadening.May their gentle soul rest in perfect peace.Amen.
ReplyDeleteit is very unfortunate that people of this caliber die this way. This also confirms how innocent and poor people die untimely on road accident as a result of bad roads.
ReplyDeleteBoth Federal and State governments should fix all the bad roads and stop killing people.
May his soul rest in peace is not every thing that people should politize bcos GEJ squandered our money for these infrastructures so what are we taking gentle men and ladies
ReplyDeleteThis is very painful because i watched him during his nominees
ReplyDeleteMay God help us in this wicked world.
ReplyDeletePlease, let us read in between the lines, before commenting. The cause of the accident wasn't bad road, but rather, bad tyre.
ReplyDeleteSorry if the road is good the tyre will not get bad. So it is the bad road
ReplyDeleteSorry if the road is good the tyre will not get bad. So it is the bad road
ReplyDeleteSorry if the road is good the tyre will not get bad. So it is the bad road
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete