Imo lawyers suspend sitting over defective court building

Imo-based lawyers under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri branch, have suspended sitting at the Justice Orjiakor block of the Justice Oputa High Court complex located off Port Harcourt Road, Owerri.

Spokesperson of the association, Franklin Amandi, announced their decision in a statement on Friday.

Also, the lawyers demanded the appointment of a Chief Judge which they complained had remained vacant for three months.

Amandi explained that the chairman of the association, Chief Chris Ihentuge, had expressed concerns over the integrity of the block, lamenting that the building vibrated while a judge was sitting the previous day, stressing that the registrar of the court also confirmed it.

The Chairman of the Bar also seized the opportunity to bitterly lament the vacancy in the office of the Chief Judge of the state for roughly three months now, despite several complaints to the state governor.

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Justice Theresa Chikeka had been accused of age discrepancies.

The Guardian learnt that the structures at Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, were built during the administration of Chief Rochas Okorocha between May 29, 2011, and May 29, 2019. Consequently, the court premises were relocated from Orlu Road to Port Harcourt Road.