David Koripamo Ungbuku (1938-2008)
David Koripamo Ungbuku (1938–2008) was a pioneering jurist and the first Chief Judge of Bayelsa State. He retired as the longest-serving Chief Judge in southern Nigeria and was honored with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). Born in Sabageria, Bayelsa State, he began his career as a teacher before pursuing law, graduating from the University of Lagos in 1970 and being called to the Nigerian Bar in 1971. Known for his discipline and intellectual rigor, Justice Ungbuku was sworn in as a judge in 1983 and became Chief Judge of Bayelsa in 1992. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 70.