Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Aloysius Katsina-Alu had a close shave with death at the weekend. His wife died.
For the country’s number one judicial officer and his wife, Victoria Mimi, savouring the cool evening breeze under a tree in their expansive country home in Alu village, Benue State, turned out a lethal experience. A tree fell on the duo, killing Mes Katsina-Alu. The CJ was injured.
Alu village in Ushongo Local Government Area is about one and a half hours drive from Makurdi, the state capital.
Mrs Katsina-Alu, 53, was rushed to the hospital. But she did not survive.
A family member, Mr. Ajiryar Katsina-Alu, yesterday recounted how the incident happened on Saturday.
He said the Katsina-Alus sat outdoors after a late dinner. They were about to go indoors when a strong wind started to blow.
"She stood up and told her husband that they should go indoors, but as they were about leaving, the wind uprooted one of the gmalina trees in the compound. It fell on her," Mr Katsina-Alu said.
According to him, the tree also cut the branches of another tree which fell and upturned the chair on which the Chief Justice was seated, pushing him to the ground.
Justice Katsina-Alu had bruises, but his wife, who would have turned 54 next month was picked up unconscious and rushed to Myom Hospital in Gboko, the nearby major town, where she was confirmed dead, the family member said.
Her body was deposited at the Gboko General Hospital mortuary.
Mrs. Katsina-Alu had earlier in the day presided at the wedding of her niece, Erdoo Akaa, and her husband, Terseer Ado. The ceremony took place at Victory Saints Church in Alu village. She was said to be in high spirits during the ceremony, attend to guests, until late evening.
Sympathisers thronged the Katsina-Alu country home.
The early callers included Benue State Deputy Governor Steven Lawani, Senator George Akume, Mr. Justice Iorhemen Hwande, Chief Judge of Benue State Justice Margaret Igbetar, Attorney General and Justice Commissioner Mr Chive Keave, and Julius Shaukpar, Chairman, Ushongo Local Government.
Others are Sebastian Hon, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); Thaddeus Asua Polycarp Kwahar, Mr. Shaapera Naako, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources and proprietor of Royal Choice Inn, Mr. Felix Akiga.
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