![\"Judge](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/unnamed-10.jpg\")
\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Hon. Babatunde Akowe, Justice of the New York City Civil Court in Kings County\u2019s 2nd Municipal District, died over the weekend. He was remembered for his lasting impact and dedication to the Brooklyn community.<\/p>\n
Photo courtesy of the Kings County Democratic County Committee<\/p>\n
Brooklyn leaders<\/a> and community members are mourning the loss of Hon. Babatunde Akowe, a Justice of the New York City Civil Court in Kings County\u2019s 2nd Municipal District. Akowe, who was elected to the bench in November 2023 and began his 10-year term in January 2024, died unexpectedly over the weekend.<\/p>\n Born in Crown Heights, Akowe dedicated his life to advancing equity through policy. He was a graduate of Lincoln University, Temple University, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. A proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at Lincoln, Akowe was deeply committed to its mission of service. During his tenure on the Civil Court, he remained active in community engagement as a member of Community Board 3.<\/p>\n In a statement, Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn reflected on Akowe\u2019s lasting impact on the borough and the city.\n<\/p>\n \u201cHis life and judicial service were cut way too short,\u201d she said.\n<\/p>\n \u201cToday, we honor Judge Akowe\u2019s lifelong service to NYC and in Brooklyn, where he was born and raised. We celebrate his prolific legal career, which began at the Brooklyn DA\u2019s Office before serving in the NY State Unified Court System, NYC Council, Department of Corrections, NYC Employees\u2019 Retirement System, NYS Governor\u2019s Office and NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n \u201cJudge Akowe will forever be remembered as a leader who always advocated for our communities with dedication and integrity. Our hearts go out to his family \u2014 his wife and two daughters \u2014 during this most difficult time.\u201d<\/p>\n Council Member Farah Louis also shared her condolences, remembering Akowe as both a mentor and a friend.\n<\/p>\n \u201cBabatunde was an inspiration and a dedicated public servant committed to justice and service,\u201d Louis wrote on Instagram<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n \u201cEarlier this year, Babatunde invited me to join his fraternity brothers to distribute coats and supplies on MLK Day. His commitment to uplifting our community was evident in everything he did \u2014 from his work on the bench to his hands-on service in the streets of Brooklyn,\u201d she went on. \u201cHe embodied the spirit of servant leadership, always putting others first and working tirelessly to create pathways of opportunity for those who needed it most.\u201d<\/p>\n Louis extended her \u201cdeepest condolences to his wife, his daughters Adia and Amara, and his village of family, friends, colleagues and fraternity brothers who loved him dearly.\u201d\n<\/p>\n New York Attorney General Letitia James also honored Akowe\u2019s legacy, writing on X<\/a> that he was \u201ca pillar of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe lost him far too soon,\u201d James wrote. \u201cFrom his legal work to his mentorship of young Black men, he was a fierce leader. I am lifting his wife and children in prayer.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Details on services have not yet been released.\u00a0<\/p>\n