By joshua COMMOTION IN KOGI COURT AS JUDGE FALLS OFF BROKEN CHAIR DURING PROCEEDINGS
There was a brief disruption at the Upper Area Court 1, Ankpa, Kogi State on Monday after one of the three presiding judges, Hon. John Okpanachi, fell from his chair during a court session.
The incident, described by court officials as a “court accident,” occurred while proceedings were ongoing and lawyers were conducting cross-examination.
An eyewitness said the judge was adjusting on his seat when the chair suddenly gave way, causing him to fall forward onto the courtroom stage.
“The lawyer leading the cross-examination said he noticed the judge was struggling with the chair, not sleeping, until it finally collapsed,” the source stated.
The presiding judge, Justice Emmanuel Adejo Esq., immediately directed the clerk to rise, and the court adjourned to chambers to assess the situation.
Sources within the court said the chair had been in poor condition for some time but was still in use due to lack of alternatives. Hon. Okpanachi reportedly sustained a minor injury and his new suit was torn in the fall.
Some lawyers and court staff who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed the incident on inadequate funding of the judiciary.
“The functionality of the judiciary is responsible for this. It is not only Upper Area Court Ankpa that lacks proper furniture. Many courts are suffering in silence,” one lawyer said.
A court staff member added that repeated requests to the judiciary for furniture, employment to replace retired staff, and other logistics have “fallen on deaf ears.”
The lawyers called on the Kogi State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice J.J. Majebi, to urgently intervene and provide necessary facilities for courts across the state.
As at the time of filing this report, Justice Adejo could not be reached as he was said to have closed from work at 5:30pm and was not available for comments.
One of the litigants present simply said: “Wonder will never stop happening. The judiciary is at fault, not the litigants.”
The court is expected to resume normal sittings once repairs and arrangements are concluded.