By Attah Ede
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Imo State, on Friday, directed its members to suspend all court activities for one week to allow the state government conduct integrity test on the Justice Oputa High Court premises in Owerri, Imo State capital,
The directive followed consistent complaints over the state of the Justice Oputa High Court premises in Owerri.
Chairman, Owerri branch of the NBA, Barr Chris Ihentuge, gave the directive while interacting with his colleagues and litigants at the court premises, on Friday.
He explained that there had been repeated incidents of vibration of the court building during court sessions.
He noted that judges, lawyers, and litigants had in the past raised concerns about the court built by former Governor Rochas Okorocha over structural defects.
He stressed that he was reliably told that while court was sitting yesterday (Thursday), the building was vibrating.
Chris Ihentuge explained further that he put several calls to the Chief Registrar who confirmed that Justice Onyeukwu complained and informed her about the incident.
“I also heard from another judge that two days ago, same thing happened, and this issue has been lingering even before this building was put in use. There were complaints, structural defects in the building and we complained and nothing happened.
“So we are saying for now, we should suspend, at least for one week, the use of this building till the proper thing is done. The proper thing is let experts come and certify that this building is fit. We cannot risk our lives. One week will not kill us. Let us suspend activities in this building.
“Let it be on record that the NBA Owerri branch has warned lawyers and litigants that it is risky using this building as it is now. That is why we are complaining that a Chief Judge should be appointed for the Imo State Judiciary.
“The absence of a Chief Judge for about three months has resulted in slow justice administration.
A situation that we don’t have a Chief Judge going to three months now is not acceptable. Let all well-meaning Imo people say something about this. We cannot remain without a leader and that is what is causing all this problem. Who do you complain to?
“As at two weeks ago, when the Governor (Hope Uzodimma) had a media chat, I informed him that this building is in bad shape. The Governor confirmed that he had received complaints and that he will be sending engineers to come and do integrity test on the building, but up till today, nothing has been happened”, Ihentuge said
