A wave of panic and uncertainty has gripped the Imo State judiciary as judges and lawyers abandon the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa High Court building over fears of an imminent structural collapse.
The alarming situation was confirmed on Friday by Chris Ihentuge, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, who disclosed that severe vibrations had been felt during court sessions, prompting an emergency evacuation.
Ihentuge revealed that he had raised concerns with Governor Hope Uzodimma two weeks earlier, warning about the deteriorating condition of the courthouse. However, despite assurances that engineers would be dispatched for an inspection, no visible action has been taken.
According to the NBA chairman, structural defects in the courthouse were identified during its construction, but government authorities ignored early warnings, putting the lives of judicial officers and legal practitioners at grave risk.
In response to the crisis, court sessions have been suspended for one week to allow structural experts to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the building’s integrity.
“We cannot continue to risk our lives. One week will not kill us,” Ihentuge declared, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Beyond the safety concerns, Ihentuge also called on the state government to appoint a Chief Judge, lamenting that the position has remained vacant for three months, further crippling the state’s judicial system.
The Justice Chukwudifu Oputa High Court building, named after one of Nigeria’s most respected jurists, was meant to symbolize justice and judicial excellence. However, its current state of disrepair raises serious questions about the state government’s commitment to the rule of law and the welfare of judicial officers.
As legal practitioners flee for their lives and the judiciary grinds to a halt, all eyes are now on Governor Uzodimma. Will he act swiftly to address this crisis, or will the Imo judiciary remain in limbo, overshadowed by neglect and structural decay?
PIONEER NEWS 