By Godfrey C. Osakwe,fnipr
In the words of Faith Baldwin, “Time is a dressmaker specialising in alterations.” Twenty-seven years after the passing of the great legal luminary, Chief Michael Ashikodi Agbamuche, SAN, the memories of his towering life and legacy remain vivid, shaping the lives of those who knew him and inspiring generations that never met him.
Life is a rich tapestry, woven with threads of diverse achievements, values, and commitments. While some drift through life seeking only personal gain, others rise to become leaders whose footprints are deeply etched in the sands of time. Chief Michael Ashikodi Agbamuche belonged to the latter, an extraordinary class of his own.
As former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and Nna Obodo of Akwukwu-Igbo (Father of the Community), he stood as a beacon of hope, justice, integrity, and service. He was the father of modern Akwukwu-Igbo uncompromising in candour, unwavering in vision, and unmatched in his dedication to communal progress. His influence transcended his lifetime, continuing to inspire through his children, mentees, and admirers.
On this 105th posthumous birthday, we thank God for the gift of such a rare gem, an icon whose life exemplified compassion, courage, and commitment. Chief Agbamuche was more than a brilliant legal mind; he was a defender of the defenceless, a warrior for the Anioma nation, and a humanitarian whose kindness touched countless lives. He offered free legal services to the indigent and fought tirelessly for the less privileged.
His vision for Akwukwu-Igbo, Anioma, and Nigeria; rooted in unity, peace, and development, was unparalleled. Those who lived during his era recall the orderliness, progress, and harmony that his presence brought to the community. Sadly, the current state of affairs in his homeland and the nation at large stands in stark contrast to the ideals he lived and died for.
Born on 16 August 1920 in Akwukwu-Igbo, Chief Agbamuche began his education at St. John’s Primary School. He later worked as a clerical officer at the defunct Government Secretariat, Kaduna, and passed his Senior Cambridge before travelling to the United Kingdom for further studies. After a one-year introduction course at what is now the University of Surrey, he proceeded to King’s College, London, where he obtained a law degree. In 1957, he was called to the English Bar (Middle Temple) before returning to Nigeria.
By 1962, he was appointed Coroner for Kano and Katsina Provinces by Queen Elizabeth II, an appointment ratified by Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna Sokoto and Premier of Northern Region. He practised law in the old Northern Nigeria until 1966, then served as Principal State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Benin-City in the Midwestern Region in 1967. In 1970, he resumed private legal practice in Lagos, later venturing into politics as Councillor for Oshimili Local Government Area in 1976 and Member of the Federal House of Representatives in 1979 under the Nigerian Peoples’ Party (NPP). In 1984, he was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and, a decade later, appointed Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
Chief Michael Ashikodi Agbamuche’s memory remains evergreen. To his children, community, and all who admired him, his legacy is a call to live for service, justice, and humanity. He was, and will always be, a shining light in the history of Akwukwu-Igbo, Anioma, and Nigeria.