Nigeria, Aug. 22 -- Prominent Nigerian entertainment and intellectual-property lawyer Rockson Igelige has died at 55.

Filmmaker Zeb Ejiro and politician and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore broke the news in separate Facebook posts on Friday.

Although neither disclosed the cause of his death, they described Mr Igelige as a great friend and a fantastic lawyer.

"My brother, Rockson Igelige, why? This hit me hard! I have lost a brother and a dear friend. We have lost the best IP Lawyer in Africa.

"The great Isoko Nation just lost a legal luminary. How did this happen? I am tired. Shocked!" Mr Ejiro wrote.

Mr Sowore described the late Igelige as a courageous and compassionate man whose memory would remain with those who knew him.

He...