The President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem, has buried her immediate younger brother, Maurice Yilpoe Mensem, a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police, who died in Abuja at the age of 64.

The deceased, who reportedly died on October 20, 2026, after a brief illness, was laid to rest on Thursday following a Requiem Mass at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Ngootuguut, in Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Yilbil explained that the Requiem Mass was not intended to awaken the deceased to earthly life but to remind the living of God’s love, encourage gratitude and prepare them for their own final day.

‎Taking his biblical reading from Matthew 5:1–12, the priest urged Christians to embrace righteousness, live meaningful lives and remain conscious of their ultimate accountability before God.

‎He expressed the Christian hope that the souls of the righteous would find rest in God’s kingdom on the day of judgment, while offering prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of the late Maurice.

‎Rev. Fr. Yilbil described the deceased as a man whose exemplary lifestyle was worthy of emulation, noting that he demonstrated commitment to community service, family responsibilities, the Catholic Church and his professional calling.

‎He urged the congregation to devote more time to God’s work, pay attention to the needs of others and remain prepared for the uncertainties of life, including the inevitability of death.

‎The priest further recalled that the late Maurice served the Nigeria Police Force diligently for 35 years before retiring and settling in Masaka, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

‎Other biblical readings at the Requiem Mass were taken from St. Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians, Chapter 4, verses 13–18.

Representing Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Na’anlong Daniel, commiserated with the bereaved family.

He urged citizens to embrace peaceful coexistence and strive to leave behind legacies worthy of emulation.

‎The Speaker encouraged the family not to despair but to take consolation in the fact that the deceased lived a fulfilled and exemplary life.

‎Meanwhile, the death of Maurice reportedly threw his immediate family and the entire community into mourning.

‎The chief mourner, Justice Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, was visibly grief-stricken as she mourned the loss of her younger brother.

‎It is noteworthy that Justice Dongban-Mensem served in the Plateau State High Court, the Federal Capital Territory Judiciary and the Court of Appeal before her appointment as President of the Court of Appeal in 2020.

‎The Parish Priest of the Church of the Assumption, Masaka, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Isiah, who was represented at the funeral by a delegation of parishioners, also paid tribute to the deceased, testifying to his good deeds and contributions to society.

‎The late retired police officer is survived by his wife, five children and two grandchildren.

‎His remains were subsequently laid to rest at the family burial ground in Ngootuguut, Shendam Local Government Area of Southern Plateau State. (