Judges, lawyers flee court over scare of building collapse

From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri

Palpable tension gripped judges and lawyers of the Chukwudifu Oputa High Court, located few metres from the Port Harcourt Road, New Owerri, Imo State on Friday, as they fled the court over fear of the possible collapse of J.I Orjiakor court building collapsing.

The building constructed by former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha towards the tail end of his administration is said to be in a dilapidated state with some of its roof already falling off.

Despite its state, the lawyers and other staff inside the court premises have been managing to carry out their duties in the building until yesterday, when a vibration was felt by occupants of the building.

This according to a source at the court made some of the lawyers and occupants in the building including residents around to scamper for safety.

It was shortly that some residents claimed a vibrator used by a company around the area caused the vibration. 

“It was as if the ground was shaking and since we’ve been in fear already about the building we all ran out,” a source said.

Another resident of the area said: “I was afraid when I saw some people running; they said the court building was about to collapse, I had to run too. It was later that they told me that the vibration was caused by work from a construction company around the area.”

The state chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chris Ihentuge had earlier raised an alarm over the deteriorating state of the court building.

Meanwhile, the Owerri Capital Development Agency (OCDA) has acted swiftly to seal the building.