A magistrate court sitting in Port Harcourt was thrown into confusion Wednesday, the 11th of March, 2026 when it noticed that a lawyer who had died since last year, 2025 December appeared before it on Tuesday the 10th of February, 2026 to conduct his matter.
When the matter was called for hearing, and the lawyer was not present, the court on inquiry was informed by the litigant that his lawyer died since last year December 2025.
The court, presided over by Senior Magistrate KINGSLEY BRIGGS became confused and had to search through his record book, where he confirmed the lawyer’s presence during proceeding on Tuesday the 10th day of February, 2026.
The Senior Magistrate informed the litigant on how the court had wanted to issue a bench warrant against him if not for the intervention of his lawyer who pleaded that he the litigant was sick and needed medical attention.
Senior Magistrate BRIGGS also narrated how based on the plea of ill health by the lawyer, the court did not issue the bench warrant against the litigant but adjourned the matter till today, the 12th of March, 2026.
In order to clear the confusion, the vice chairman NBA, Port Harcourt branch who was in court, suggested to call the family of the lawyer and a member of the family confirmed the death which he said happened last year December.
According to the family member, the lawyer was allegedly strangled to death in his apartment in Oyigbo last year December and that the police is still investigating the matter.
