Panic has gripped residents of Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, after gunmen murdered the chairman of Ejemekwuru Customary Court.
The Judge, Nnaemeka Ugboma, was killed by gunmen who operated in motorcycles while presiding a court session.
The incident brought the court sitting to an abrupt end as lawyers, court staff and litigants fled.
The killing of the jurist who hailed from Nnebukwu community in Oguta LGA caused panic in Ejemekwuru community as natives and residents alike fled their homes.
One of the sources said: “The jurist was a law graduate of 1991 set. He was killed in his court while sitting. His killers came with motorcycles. They came into the court, dragged him out and shot him dead and drove off.
“His corpse was there as people in court fled. The whole thing is confusing because nobody knew any reason they killed him. He was from the Nnebukwu community in Oguta LGA here.”
The chairman of the Owerri Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ugochukwu Allinor, who confirmed the killing said that the branch would communicate its actions about the incident to the public.