Lawyer slumps, dies in court

A lawyer simply identified as Chidi slumped and died within the premises of the Igbosere magistrates’ court in Lagos Island, on Tuesday.

Chidi, who came to represent a client, was said to have arrived late for the case.

According to NAN, the court had already adjourned the case to April 14 by the time Chidi got there with his client, who was accused of stealing.

The lawyer reportedly apologised to the court for coming late, attributing it to traffic.

Suddenly, he started gasping for breath and was coughing profusely, making his client to rush him outside the court room for fresh air.

When the cough persisted, his tie was removed, while he pleaded that a cab should be provided to take him home.

By the time the cab arrived, Chidi was said to have lost strength, making his client to carry him on his back. However, the lawyer reportedly stopped breathing when he entered the cab.

The taxi man was said to have returned him back to the court premises, saying he could not carry the lawyer for the fear of police harassment.

It was later confirmed that he gave up the ghost at the Lagos Island General Hospital.

The deceased had come to court to appear in a case involving two accused, Okedairo Okedeji, 38; and Akolade Agbola, 28, who were alleged to have stolen meat and snail worth N28,000, belonging to Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The accused, arraigned on February 29, were alleged to have committed the offences of conspiracy and stealing on November 11, 2015.