Judges and lawyers fled during a court session in Owerri Imo state on Friday for fear of imminent building collapse.
The lawyers deemed it expedient to vacate the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa building of the state high court due to alleged vibration that was observed on the building during the session.
Speaking at the court premises after the incident, Chris Ihentuge, Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, revealed that they needed to escape for their life as they had severally complained about the faulty building to the state Governor Hope Uzodimma, who promised to send engineers for an inspection and possible renovation.
However, the governor did not keep to his word as nothing has been done about it.
“Concerns over structural defects were raised during the building’s construction but were never addressed, Ihentuge noted. As a precaution, court sessions are suspended for one week to allow experts to assess the building’s safety. We cannot continue to risk our lives. One week will not kill us,” Ihentuge declared.
