THIS PAIN IS HEAVY

I have been so tongue-tied since the shattering news of the demise of this scion of the legal profession. I have been hoping that somehow, it will be announced, just as happened with the now Late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe in 1989, that it will be said that the announcement of his death was made in error.

I spoke with Chief Ziggy on 18 Dec. when I wanted to pay him a courtesy visit, but he told me in his usual energetic and florid voice that he had closed for the year and that we will meet in January. There was no hint of pain, ill-health, nor weakness in his voice.

Chief Ziggy called me himself on 21 Dec white I was heading to the Island and requested me to assist a client of his whose matter was coming up in court. And thereafter he sent the details of the matter to me by WhatsApp. I reported to him by WhatsApp later the same day of how the matter went. He replied to express his appreciation.

Chief Ziggy called me on the morning of 22 Dec and we had a lengthy discussion on the matter in court. Again there was no hint of pain, ill-health, nor weakness in his voice. Just his usual lively self. As it turned out, that was to be my last conversation with him.

I sent him a greeting card by WhatsApp on 2 January 2021, and I confirmed that he read it. To my surprise, unlike him, he made no comment. I surmised that he was busy at the time. I called him on Monday 4 Jan but the line was busied after a few runs. I called again on 5 Jan. This time the call rang out. In both cases and unlike him, he didn't call back. I was on the road en route Lagos from Enugu yesterday 6 Jan, and didn't call him. I was hoping to meet him next week.
Now I will never see him alive again.I won't even report on the case he asked me to attend to. Even the client as at Wednesday when we spoke, was not aware that Chief Ziggy is no more.
How so shocking

I have had the rare privilege of being treated to narratives of his life experiences by Chief Ziggy on several occasions.. In a way of speaking, he is a self-made man. Even though he came from an affluent background, he struck out on his own, defied the odds, and claimed his rightful place at the top bracket of the legal profession in Nigeria. I hold him as my role model and mentor. In his death I have suffered a personal and irreplaceable loss.

Seth Amaefule Esq