An Aba-based lawyer, Obinna Onuoha, slumped to death during a court session at High Court I in Obingwa Local Area of Abia State.
Information as at last night was sketchy but it was gathered that Onuoha was cross-examining a witness.
The incident caused pandemonium in court.
It was learnt that Onuoha died due to the impact of the fall but a family source said Onuoha died of cardiac arrest, according to his medical report.
A lawyer, who pleaded for anonymity, said he could have survived if he had gotten first aid treatment.
He said: “I don’t really know the man too well. But I was told he is an Ngwa man. It is a pity that such a thing could happen but the reality is that it could happen to anyone. Lawyers are human beings after all.
“I suspect it could be stress or something related to heart attack which could have simply been dealt with if there were any medical personnel or even a para-medic around to attend to him.
“I believe we should always check our health status frequently which I am sure that will help to reduce incidents like this.”
Another lawyer however suspects the deceased died from internal head injury because, according to him, the “man was said to have hit his head on the ground when he fell.”
Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Bob Ogu, who confirmed the incident, said the late Onuoha was more than a colleague to him.