At the well-attended funeral at the Cathedral Church of Our Saviour, Ijasi, Italowajoda, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, clerics, lawyers, colleagues, associates and other guests, paid glowing tributes to the departed lawyer.
In his sermon, the Bishop of Ife Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Reverend Oluranti Odubogun, said apart from distinguishing himself in the legal profession, the deceased lived a selfless life.
Describing the late Ajayi as a perfect gentleman who demonstrated exceptional brilliance in his chosen profession, he also acknowledged that he had time to serve God, and contributed to the development of the church.
He said, "GOK was okay in the Lord. He was an acclaimed gentleman, recognised in the legal profession. His brilliance was unparalleled. He was a stickler for honesty and truth."
Quoting from the Bible, using the book of Numbers 23:10, unlike the character of the story, Odubogun said GOK Ajayi shunned avarice and greed and followed the path of righteousness.
He explained that righteousness "paves the way for eternal joy while sin is ruinous to anyone indulging in it."
Expressing his confidence that the iconic lawyer had joined the saints, he charged the congregation to imbibe virtues that would grant them eternal peace when they leave this world.
He said, "Our works in this world will determine where we will end up. Are you having good works? Are you Christ-like in anyway? Are you among those making life difficult for others?
"Are you a kidnapper or an armed or pen robber? Or are you a beneficiary of these? If you are involved in any of these, you cannot make heaven. There is no shortcut to heaven but for you to leave all the detestable things you are doing."
He prayed for the wife, Olayinka, children and grandchildren for God to comfort them.
The governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, described the late lawyer Ajayi as legal titan,"who used his profession to identify with the masses."
On his part, Tunji Ayanlaja, SAN, who said he served under the legal icon, noted that his legacies would endure for generation yet unborn, adding that his exit was quite painful.
He said, "He was a consummate lawyer, a good teacher, I mean the best teacher. I passed through him. Am I not a good material? That is GOK Ajayi. He is not dead, he is living with us."
Gen. Zamani Lekwot (retd.), who also recounted how the legal luminary saved him and others from the throes of death over the Zango-Kataf crisis, said "he was a great man, a great asset to the legal profession and a fine human being."
The funeral attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, which included the former chairman, Punch Nigeria Limited and a delegate to the National Conference, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola; a former Minister of Industry, also a delegate to the National Conference, Chief Nike Akande; Chairman, First City Monument Group, Chief Subomi Balogun, and wife; founder, Oodua Peoples Congress, Dr. Frederick Fasehun; Olori Ladun Sijuwade, Justice Folake Solanke, and Chief Ayo Adebanjo.
Others are Senator Kofoworola Bucknor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Dr. Sunny Kuku, Emeritus Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi, former Archbishop of Lagos province, and Dean of the church of Nigeria(Anglican Communion), Dr. Adebola Ademowo, among others.
The remains of the lawyer were later interred at his Igbeba residence in Ijebu Ode.
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