A magistrate in Lagos, 58-year old Olasanmi Ogunkanmi, has died on the night he returned from a three-week pilgrimage in Jerusalem, Israel.
The deceased was among the first batch of pilgrims from Lagos who returned on January 1, 2025 but died the night of the same day.
According to family sources, Ogunkanmi suddenly slumped and died at his residence in Ikorodu when the euphoria of his return from Jerusalem had just started.
Before his sudden demise, the deceased was working at Ikeja Magistrate Court. Those who worked closely with him described him as easygoing, humble and always on top of his job.
According to one of the staff at the magistrate court, the deceased was overjoyed for being able to perform the pilgrimage and was looking forward to a thanksgiving session in his church before he died.
“He was filled with excitement and satisfaction on his return on 1st January, 2025 when suddenly, God called him home,” said the staff.
Reacting to the incident, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, NCPC Bishop Stephen Adegbite urged the deceased’s family to have faith in God assuring them that the late magistrate has gone to rest to be with his maker.
While paying a condolence visit to the widow of the late magistrate Adegbite noted that his death was providential having died on the night he returned from pilgrimage
He said the deceased lived ‘a well fulfilled life on earth, it is therefore not how long one lives on earth that matters but how well,’ saying he was a Pilgrimage Ambassador of Nigeria.
Adegbite further assured the widow that the commission will support the family in the burial arrangement of the magistrate scheduled for February 7, 2025 in Lagos.