The family of prominent lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN has been thrown into deep grief again, with the tragic death of his daughter Chinezie, in an auto crash on Saturday, May 17. The late Chimezie was about to be called to the Nigerian bar in the coming days.
Abdul Mohammed, SAN, revealed the sad news on Wednesday, at the trial of suspended DCP Abba Kyari in the drug-related charge preferred against him and others by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mohamed told the trial Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite that Ikpeazu is presently in shock following the demise of his daughter, who is billed to be called to Bar after passing the final Bar examination. “Out of respect for the court, he directed me to come and convey the sad news to the court and asked that this matter be adjourned to a reasonable time to enable him to get himself back for the proceedings. We are suggesting July 7, the period we feel would enable him to nurse the wound before coming back to conduct the proceedings”, Mohammed told the court.
Responding, the prosecution counsel, Sunday Joseph said he was saddened when he heard about the loss of the senior lawyer’s daughter. He said the prosecution agreed with the date suggested by the defense counsel.
This is the second loss of a daughter Dr Ikpeazu has suffered in two years. He had lost his second daughter, whonwas 31 years old to the cold hands of death on March 11, 2023.
Close friends, family members and members of the Nigerian bar have been reaching out to the Ikpeazu family over the deep loss.