Confusion In Rivers Court As Dead Counsel Continue Appearance For Client

THERE was pandemonium in a Magistrate Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, March 11, when it was discovered that a late lawyer had continued appearance for his client in an ongoing matter.
The lawyer, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, had died in December last year and was buried, appeared before the court on Tuesday, February 10, this year, to conduct his case.
It was gathered that the Counsel, who was handling a sensitive matter in the court, was reportedly killed by unknown persons and the incident was reported to the Police.
However, when the case was called for hearing on Wednesday, and the late lawyer was absent, and on inquiry, the court was informed by the litigant that he died in December last year and that he (client) was making arrangement for a new Counsel.
The court, presided over by Senior Magistrate, Kingsley Briggs, was thrown into confusion, as on hearing report of the lawyer’s death earlier, recalled his appearance on the last adjourned date, when the litigant was not in court, based on a health challenge.
The magistrate searched through his record book, where he confirmed the lawyer’s presence during the proceeding on Tuesday, February 10.
Briggs told the litigant how the court had wanted to issue a bench warrant on him, if not for the intervention of his late lawyer, who pleaded that his client was sick and needed medical attention.
The magistrate also narrated how, based on the plea of ill health by the lawyer, the court did not issue the bench warrant, but adjourned the matter until Wednesday, March 12.
To clear the confusion, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, who was in court, suggested that a call be put across to the lawyer’s family.
When the call was made, a member of the family confirmed that the lawyer died in December last year, after he was allegedly strangled to death in his apartment in Oyigbo, while the Police were still investigating the matter.
The confirmation sparked confusion, as many of the litigants and lawyers quickly left the courtroom.
(Source- Vanguard)