NBA suspends sitting for one week over building collapse in Imo

By Chigozie Uzosike…

The Nigeria Bar Association, Imo State chapter on Friday suspended sitting for one week at the Justice Orjiakor block of the Imo State High Court Complex New Owerri after Lawyers and staff experienced continuous vibration during Court sittings.

The Chairman of NBA, Imo State chapter, Barr. Chris Ihentuge who stated this in Owerri, said, “this morning, we received report that the Justice Orjiakor block of the complex vibrated yesterday during sitting. We also received same report two days ago”.

According to the Chairman, it was reported that while a judge was sitting yesterday, the building was vibrating, and made lawyers and litigants left the building for fear of being submerged.

Ihentuge decried that few weeks ago when the Governor had a phone in program, he “complained about the state of the building, and the Governor confirmed the information having gotten the report and promised to do something about that immediately, but unfortunately nothing has been done”.

“We call on the Governor to conduct integrity test on the building so that lawyers and litigants can do their work without fear of building collapse. The court is in a bad shape, no lights, no air conditioners. Who do we complain to since we don’t have a Chief Judge”.

The Chairman in his address stated, “we cannot afford to risk our lives all in a bid to attend to our duties as lawyers and called for suspension of sittings in the said block for one week. Judges sitting at the said block were also accordingly informed”.

He also seized the opportunity to lament the lack of appointment of the Chief Judge of the state for roughly three months now, despite several complaints to the state Governor.

The Governor had assured that engineers will be deployed to ascertain the level of crack and make recommendation. He noted that the Chief Judge will be appointed when he receives recommendation from the NJC.