A Lagos-based legal practitioner, Dr. Khrushchev Ekwueme, has died after slumping during his legal firm’s end-of-year party.
The Enugu State-born lawyer, 56, was a Partner in the Dispute Resolution Practice of Olaniwun Ajayi LP.
Of course, the tragic incident reportedly happened, on December 21, 2022.
It was gathered that after Dr. Ekwueme slumped, he rushed to the First Cardiology Hospital, Lagos, where he was later confirmed dead.
The cause of his sudden death was yet-to-be formally established as at time of filing this report.
Tributes had been pouring in from friends and associates of the departed legal expert.
One of the mourners and Enugu State governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Peter Mbah, whose Campaign Organisation the deceased served as a facilitator, extolled him as “one of Nigeria’s finest, globally renowned, peerless lawyer in international maritime, arbitration, dispute resolution and public interest litigation”.
Mbah described Ekwueme’s sudden death as a ‘great loss’ to state and legal profession, where he distinguished himself with many indelible contributions to his credit.
“Dr Ekwueme’s sudden demise is, indeed, a devastating blow and a colossal loss to the legal profession, in which he had immensely expanded the frontiers of knowledge as an author, litigation counsel and visiting research scholar at the Harvard Law School, United States.
“He was an epitomised humility, dedication, commitment and integrity in his pursuit of justice for all.
“He was a rare gem, whose positive impact in our society will continue to resonate hope, justice, equity and selfless service to humanity,” Mbah said in a statement signed by his media aide, Dan Nnomeh.
Late Dr. Ekwueme went to Imo State University for his BL and LLB before travelling abroad for a Master’s from the University of Hamburg and a PhD from Hague Academy of International Law, Humboldt University School of Law.
He was called to the Bar after attending the Nigerian Law School in Lagos.
A Visiting Researcher at the Harvard Law School, Dr. Ekwueme was an expert in International Economic Law, International Dispute Resolution, International Commercial Arbitration, Public Interest Litigation and White Collar Crime Prosecution.
He was fluent in German and a member of the Expert Group of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) on Transboundary Infrastructure Projects in Africa.