There was pandemonium within the premises of the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos yesterday when a lawyer, simply identified as Chidi, who came to represent his clients slumped and died after court proceedings.
It was gathered that when Chidi got to the court with his clients, his case has already been adjourned till April 14 because he came late to court. He then apologised to the court for coming late to court, saying it was due to heavy traffic. It was further gathered that it was while the deceased lawyer was apologising that he started gasping for breath and was coughing profusely.
He was eventually rushed outside the court to ease the tension. But, when the coughing continued, his tie was removed while he pleaded that people around should help him get a cab to take him home. While they were trying to get the cab, it was discovered that he couldn’t move any longer and one of his clients had to carry him on his back down stairs.
Immediately he got into the cab, he stopped breathing and the taxi man returned him back to the court premises, saying he could not carry the corpse to avoid police harassment.
He was later confirmed dead at the Lagos Island General Hospital. Investigations further revealed that the lawyer came to court to appear in a matter involving two defendants, Okedairo Okedeji (38) and Akolade Agbola (28), who were alleged to have stolen meat and snail worth N28,000, belonging to Southern Sun Hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendants were arraigned on February 29 and they had pleaded not guilty to the charge against them. After their arraignment, Magistrate F. M. Dalley admitted them to bail and adjourned the matter till yesterday for trial.
