Panic as lawyer slumps, dies in courtroom

Barrister Solomon Uzoigwe 41, a prominent lawyer, on Friday, slumped and died in an Anambra State court room.

Uzoigwe died while handling a land dispute case. The case was against a widow in Umuchu town, a community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The deceased’s collapse caused pandemonium in the court room as lawyers, who were present in court ran out, leaving Uzoigwe on the floor. He was later rushed to several hospitals in the city, but it was already too late. Doctors later confirmed him dead.

The incident happened on January 26, 2018, within the premises of Onitsha High Court where the late Uzoigwe had gone for legal proceedings in spite of being sick. He was also said to have gone to the court against his wife’s advice.

Investigations revealed that Uzoigwe, who was sick before the court appearance, was advised by his wife to rest and finish his medication. He, however, ignored her and went to court where he eventually collapsed and died.

The lawyer, who got married recently, had a child before he died. His corpse was deposited in an undisclosed mortuary for autopsy report before he would be buried in his village in Ibughubu in Umuchu town Aguata Local Government Area in Anambra State.

The late Uzoigwe was known for handling briefs, especially on land matters and family disputes. It was also gathered that some of his senior colleagues had cautioned him against such briefs, but he didn’t listen because of the huge sums of money involved in such cases. Some attributed his sudden death to diabolical powers.