CJN Treated, Dischasrged From Hospital

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu who was struck by a tree along with his wife, Mimi in his country home, has been treated and discharged from hospital.

His wife was not so lucky as she died after the incident which occurred yesterday at Tse-Alu near Lessel in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State, North Central Nigeria.

A close relation of the family, who spoke with P.M.NEWS on account of anonymity revealed that the incident occurred when Justice Kastina-Alu and his wife were relaxing outside his palatial home after attending the wedding of the wife’s brother when suddenly a branch of a gmalina tree fell on her and she died instantly.

The source further added that Justice Kastina-Alu, who was also hit by the branch of the tree escaped death by the whiskers and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention where he was treated and later discharged.

He said the incident was caused by rain storm in the area, adding that the late Mimi might have had a premonition of her death when she pleaded with the husband to go back into the house afraid that a tree may fall as a result of the heavy wind.

“The CJN and his wife sat outside chatting alone after attending to several guests when a heavy storm started and she told her husband that they should go inside because a tree branch may fall on them as a result of the storm.

“On getting up to enter the house, a tree branch fell on the wife and also hit the CJN. While the wife died instantly, he sustained a minor injury,” the eye witness narrated.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam has described the tragic death of Mrs Mimi Kastina-Alu as a terrible loss to the entire state.

Governor Suswam represented by his deputy, Chief Stephen Lawani, stated this yesterday during a condolence visit to the CJN’s home.

The governor said the state government received the news of the unfortunate incident with a great shock, but prayed God to grant her soul eternal rest and the husband as well as the entire state and her family the fortitude to bear the loss.

In his remarks, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Chive Kaave who was part of the delegation, said the death of Mimi was painful.

Barrister Kaave observed that since the deceased lived and died in the Lord she will rise with him.

Chief (Mrs). Mimi Katsina-Alu was aged 52 years and was into private business.

—Ubong George/Makurdi