…NBA lamented absence of state CJ.
By Williams Odunze
Court sittings have been temporarily suspended in Imo State High Court following alleged shaking of one of the Federal High Court buildings suspected to have been caused by what they termed a structural defects in one of the buildings.
For safety of their lives, the lawyers were seen scared of entering into the said building which is said to be one of the tallest buildings in the Court premises.
It was also gathered that, the new Federal High Court buildings were built during the Rescue Mission administration of the former Governor, Rochas Anayo Okorocha.
Speaking to Journalists in front of the said collapsing structure at the Federal High Court recently , the Imo State Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association,NBA
Barr. Chris Ihentuge announced that they have suspended judiciary activities for one week in the said building until the proper thing is done, saying being in the collapsing building in the name of going to court poses great danger, as they cannot afford risking or losing their lives in a suicidal manner.
The NBA Chairman informed that the said building was having structural defects prior to its occupation but regretted that the then State government which promised to bring an expert to conduct integrity test on the said building with a view to fixing it, shielded away from its promise as nothing was done in that regard.
He said, to stay safe, the NBA, Owerri branch, has warned lawyers and litigants, that it is risky using the shaking judiciary building, which he lamented has become very unseemly dangerous.
Ihentuge used the moment to call on state Government and other well-meaning members of the society to quickly intervene as to save lives and improve the judiciary for the good of humanity and the advancement of the society.
According to Ihentuge, “I was reliably informed that as at yesterday (last Thursday) while one of the courts was sitting , one of the buildings was vibrating.
” I have made calls to the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court who confirmed that His Lordship , Onyeukwu, had informed her of the incident. I also heard from another Judge that the building was terribly shaking two days ago while the court was sitting”.
He stressed that the issue has been lingering even before the building was put to use confirming that
there were a lot of complaints about the structural defects in the building without any positive response,since then.
“As at last two weeks when the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, had a media chat, I informed the Governor that this building is in bad shape. The Governor confirmed he had received that complaint and that he will do integrity test on the building and up till today nothing has happened
“We cannot risk our lives in the name of going to court. So, we are saying for now, we suspend, for one week, the use of this building, until the proper thing is done, which is, let experts come and certify the integrity test – that this building is fit”, he further stated .
The State Chairman of NBA , said that he has notified lawyers and litigants that it is risky using the building as it is now.
“That is why we are complaining that a Chief Judge should be appointed for Imo State Judiciary. A situation , where we do not have a Chief Judge going to three months, is not acceptable. Because we cannot remain like this without a leader”, he asserted .
