Late Justice Gbolagunte’s Last Wish By Folu Olamiti

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By Folu Olamiti

In life, he did everything in style. And he scored spectacular goals on the field of life. Little wonder, when his sojourn on this terrestrial plane was over, and his earthly remains were to be committed to mother earth, even the heavens themselves blaze forth in glory.

Casket bearing Justice Gbolagunte’s remains
Casket bearing Justice Gbolagunte’s remains
So, it was on Friday, July 26, 2024 when Justice Adegboye Ayinla Gbolagunte, finally quit the stage of life. It was a roll call of who-is- who in Nigeria that converged to bid him bye. Both the high and mighty fought back tears and emotion as they celebrated the man who came, saw and conquered. They bowed as they paid their last respects.

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It was a moving funeral service spiced with spirit-inspired messages in songs and the Word of God at the New Reservation Area Baptist Church in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, with the Pastor of the church, the Reverend Kayode Oyedemi reliving how the Hon. Justice Gbolagunte prepared for his own funeral.

Not many people had, and would have such opportunity, he remarked. While receiving treatment for the sickness that hailed him, months ago, he said, Justice Gbolagunte had the premonition that the Lord was preparing him for his eternity home.

According to Reverend Kayode Oyedemi, “Though fervent prayers led by his prayer-warrior wife were going on, appealing to God to give him more years as He did for Hezekiah, Justice Gbolagunte, a man of absolute integrity, knew his days were numbered for him to answer the heavenly call.”

Rev. Oyedemi disclosed that two days to eminent jurist’s passing to glory, he told him that he should be buried in Ibadan, and he made all necessary arrangements for his burial.

Quoting from the Book of II Kings 13, and 20; Hebrew 11; as well as, II Samuel 12, Revd. Oyedemi who said that he had never seen anybody prepare his own funeral so deep as Justice Gbolagunte did, noted that “It is not unusual for saints to die of sickness from attack. If prayers can stop death, Justice Gbolagunte would not have died because upon revelation that he would die of the sickness, we were praying, but when the sickness of the beloved is unto death, no amount of prayers can heal the sickness, no matter how perfect one could be in faith.

“The sickness of Lazarus was not unto death, but that of Elisha was unto death. God knows why he has called Justice Gbolagunte home at this time. While we were praying and believing that God would spare his life, he had accepted his faith himself. I remember his last admission to the hospital about two or three days to his death. Then I asked if he was still holding unto God in faith and he said yes.

“Since last year, he had told me that his funeral is to be held in Ibadan here. He had told me the cemetery. I have been hearing about it, but I have not seen anybody who planned his funeral so deep as Justice Gbolagunte did. All the arrangements you see, he had chosen and contacted people you see carrying them out. He had contacted everybody. When he paid for the vault, he told me, and he connected me with the person that was in charge of that. That is to tell you that he was convinced that God said that his time had come. And that is one of the greatest ways to die. For you to know when you are going to die helps you to get settled, not with God, but with every other thing. He had that privilege.

“God told Hezekiah that he would not recover, but he would die. God said, ‘set your house in order for you shall die’. It is one of the greatest ways to die. People like that will never miss heaven. That is the assurance that Hon. Justice Adegboye Gbolagunte has gone to be with Christ”, Revd. Oyedemi said.

The Reverend reminded the congregation that all mortals “have date with death; when it will happened is what no one knows.” Then, he asked the congregation: “But how prepared are you?”

Justice Gbolagunte’s widow bore her pain and sorrow with philosophical calmness as people eulogised her husband, pouring encomiums. The children, family members, judges, friends and relations of the deceased were all present to bid the Justice Gbolagunte goodnight.