From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Raymond Afojulu Ozoemena, on Thursday, February 12, led members of the legal profession in the state to pay their last respects to Senator Okey Ezea, who died on November 18, 2025.
Senator Ezea was an accomplished lawyer by profession, while also expanding his career into business and politics.
On the directive of the Chief Judge, lawyers drawn from the various branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Enugu State assembled for a special court session in honour of the late senator. The session was held inside the late Justice Umezuluike Hall of the Enugu High Court.
The ceremony began with a procession around his casket, led by Justice Ozoemena.
Justice Ozoemena described Senator Ezea as a brilliant lawyer who was committed to nation building in all ramifications. He prayed for the repose of his soul and those who had departed.
The Nigerian Bar Association was represented by members from the Enugu, Nsukka, Oji River, Obollo Afor, Ezeagu, Udi and Nike branches.
Chairman of the Enugu NBA, Barr. Venatius Odoh, said Senator Ezea lived an accomplished but short life, being a lawyer by profession, a successful businessman and a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Tributes were also paid at a Night of Tributes held in his honour on Tuesday, February 10, at the Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu.
A former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who chaired the event, described the late senator as a distinguished personality who kept his eyes on the poor. He said Senator Ezea was a grassroots politician known in every ward in Enugu North Senatorial Zone, also known as the Nsukka Cultural Zone, for impacting the lives of the poor and vulnerable.
Senator Victor Umeh, chairman of the burial committee, described Ezea as a steadfast man driven by conviction in all that he did.
Senator Umeh disclosed that the Labour Party brought him closer to Ezea and that they shared a common belief in fighting the Igbo cause.
“He stood firm on issues that would promote Igbo interest in the past two years.
“Okey Ezea championed the cause for creation of Adada state He cane back to Enugu,when the Senate committee on additional state creation visited Enugu He devoted his time to visit every member of the Senate committee,enlisting their support.
“Unfortunately,he took ill in September 2025. On September 16,I met him at his hospital bed in Abuja.From Abuja,he travelled to Germany .After Germany,he travelled to United Kingdom.He died few days after returning from UK.
“We lost somebody in the National Assembly,who will be very hard to replace in Enugu North Senatorial district He was ready to die for the Igbo nation. Okey Ezea was a good man,” Senator Umeh lamented.
Hon. Harrison Ogara, a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, said Senator Ezea was deeply committed to the people of Nsukka Cultural Zone.
“In 2003, Ezea came back from Lagos to participate in partisan politics and he supported our people. In 2007, he contested Governorship election. He is a very resilient person,very truthful.
“ He is always fighting for what is good for his zone. He attracted the establishment of a Naval base in Uzo- Uwani and the construction of 9th mile to Markudi road,among other projects and programmes he initiated.
Hon. Ogara, the only remaining Labour Party legislator in the Enugu State House Assembly who refused to decamp unlike 13 of his colleagues, said he and Senator Ezea had promised to remain in the party.
His words: “When he took ill, I never knew death was close. We phoned me from his hospital bed to discuss over issues.He promised me he will come back very soon. But Okey Ezea came back in gasket. Nevertheless,We shall fight on, His efforts will not be in vain,” Hon. Ogara also lamented.
Senator Chuka Utazi, the immediate past senator for Enugu North, said it was a calamity that notable political leaders from the Nsukka Cultural Zone had died suddenly. He mentioned the late Senator Fidelis Okoro, late Senator Ayogu Ezeh and now Senator Okey Ezea, who died while in active service after spending only two years and five months in the Senate.
Senator Chris Ngige, who arrived later at the event, also paid tribute to the deceased.
The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Sosthenes Ezeh, said he had known Senator Ezea since 1976 when they attended the same secondary school, noting that he had no dull moment in life.
His words: “Okey Ezea had no dull moment in his life. He was always on the move during our school days. His presence always gives us joy. He was among the six students who passed out with distinction during our time.
“In his Political carreer,he kept in touch with me. Yes,He lived a short time but his legacies are many.
“Okey was a good night shepherd in the political circle.He brought a political landscape in the history of Enugu North Senatorial zone. He has no denominational barrier,” Archbishop Sosthenes Ezeh mourned.
Other dignitaries who paid tributes included Chief Ben Nwoye, Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government; Barr. Ukwueze; Prof. Osita Ogbu; and Hon. Martin Oke, among others.
Governor Peter Mbah, represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, described the late senator as a rare gem.
His words: “We lost a hero. We are in sympathy with the family.We are in sympathy with Enugu North Senatorial district.We are in sympathy with Enugu state. We are also in sympathy with the Senate.
“Senator Ezea had this unstoppable courage to defend Nsukka Cultural zone. Most times, he defended us at his own personal cost . It was Okey’s brotherhood, discipline to secure the rights of Enugu North Senatorial district.
“In working with Okey,I realized the brotherhood in him,his tenacity and commitment to things he believed,” the deputy governor stated.
Earlier, a Night of Tributes was also held in honour of Senator Ezea at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, on February 3, 2026.
His remains will be laid to rest on Friday, February 13, at his country home in Itchi, Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State. This will be followed by an outing service on Sunday, February 15, while the people of Nsukka Cultural Zone have fixed an extraordinary funeral ceremony in his honour for Monday, February 16, 2026.
