The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem is bereaved as she has lost her second son.
Her second son, Prince Paeke Shapnaan Dongban, 38, died in his sleep in the early hours of Saturday.
The deceased, who studied Mathematics at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, was an official of the Federal Ministry of Transport in Lagos.
His death occurred 11 years after the passing of the first son of the jurist, Kwapda’as Rangna’an Samson Dongban.
Her first son was killed by a hit and run driver in Jos, Plateau State capital, in 2011.
The judge had set up the Kwapda’as Road Safety Demand,KRSD Foundation in honour of her first son.
Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, shared the sad story on social media this evening.
According to Chidoka, the deceased was full of life and had no known condition.
He wrote;
A Mother’s Nightmare
Last Saturday I ran the 21km Abuja Charity Marathon, I selected two Charities, I have been supporting for donations.
“Some of my friends obliged. One of the charities was KRSD, a Road safety NGO founded by Mrs Monicca Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal.
” She founded the NGO after the tragic death of her Son killed by a hit-and-run driver. He was a young man waiting to attend Law School.
“We met after that tragic event and have since collaborated on making the roads safe for all users.
“Yesterday, a week after the charity run, her second son Prince Paeke Shapnaan Dongban died in his sleep.
“He was 38 years old. He had no known condition and was full of life. It is a sad and tragic event. I don’t know what to say to her, mouthing condolences doesn’t cut it. But heal, she must.
“I saw Hadiza El-Rufai bury two grown children. I saw my grandmother bury two adult children. I saw both recover from the pain and trauma.
” I don’t know how they did it but I am certain that the Creator granted them peace and comfort.
“As I stepped into her sitting room today, words failed me. Her cry broke my heart. The grief in the house was like a thick dark cloud.
” Yet, I saw beyond that cloud to a glorious dawn just like the darkest hour is closest to morning.
“I saw in her a spark of that resilience with which she moved from the pain of her first son’s death to a passion to save other lives.
“As I stared at her, bereft of expressions, a word came to me: overcome. She will overcome this irreparable loss. Her faith in God will see her through.
Paeke, who studied Mathematics was billed to start his graduate studies in Maritime studies on the 13th of September and was eagerly looking forward to it. God knows best.
Please join the family of Justice Mensem at this time in prayer that the Lord of all creation will grant them healing of the soul, peace and comfort at this time. It is painful. Together with the departed let us pray for solace and peace. Amen.”
