The number of judges of the Federal High Court dropped by one yesterday with the death of Justice Steven Evoh Chukwu of the court’s Abuja division.

The judge, who was said to have died early yesterday in an hospital in Garki, Abuja, had been reportedly sick for about a month now.

Although the court’s management failed to issue a formal statement about judge’s death yesterday, many officials of the court confirmed the development.

When this reporter visited the deceased judge’s courtroom, Court 9, located on the fourth floor of the courthouse, the officials wore mournful look. The court had not sat for some time now.

Before his death, Justice Chukwu was handling major cases like the trial of former Adamawa State governor, Murtala Nyako and his two children; the trial of former officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Sani Lulu, Taiwo Ogunjobi and others.

The judge was also handling the case instituted by five Senators led by Abu Ibrahim, seeking to void the election that produced Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy President.

Born on August 24, 1964 in Afikpo North Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Justice Chukwu was appointed a judge of the Federal High Court on January 3, 2008.

Before then, he did his one year National Youth Service at Chief Omoniyepe Chambers, 27 Hospital Road Akure, Ondo State between September 18, 1988 – September 17, 1989.

He was Legal Adviser- Karisto Industrial Systems, Km Aba/Enugu Express Road Aba; Associates Counsel, Prince Chika C. Ezerioha and Associates, Orulu Chambers. 118 Ikot Ekpene Road,Aba (between 1982 – 1992) and. Principal Solicitor in Mezie Ehugbo Chambers, 100 Jubilee Road Aba (between 1992 -2006).

The late judge attended Ehugbo Central School, Ekoli Edda,Afikpo South First School Leaving Certificate (1971 -1977) and Government Secondary School, Okposi Ohaozara L.G.A Ebonyi State (WASC) 1977 – 1982.

He attended Imo State University where he studied Law between (1983 and 1987) and the Nigerian Law School between 1987 - 1988.

•Sourced from The Nation. Photo shows Federal High Court Abuja.