Fire Guts Lagos Magistrates’ Court

Fire Guts Lagos Magistrates’ Court

There was pandemonium at the premises of the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court in Igbosere yesterday following a fire incident that disrupted activities at the court complex.

The fire incident, which started about 20 minutes after the chief judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade inspected the three-storey court complex, affected one of the courtrooms on the last floor of the building.

According to LEADERSHIP’s investigation, the fire was caused by a power surge from one of the air conditioners in the courtroom which ignited one of the cabinets in the courtroom.

However, the day was saved by the timely intervention of the state’s Fire Service, which put out the fire before it could spread to other courtrooms.

Though the court authorities refused to comment on the incident, an eye witness, who did not want his name mentioned, said no life was lost though one of the security men attached to the court was injured while trying to help to put out the fire.

The attorney general of Lagos State, Ade Ipaye, who later visited the court, told journalists that it was just a minor incident that was quickly brought under control.

According to him, other courts were not affected and normal activities will resume at the premises today.

Ipaye also said that the court officials had already started cleaning up the courtroom to eliminate the fire debris and fire fighter’s powder that was used to put out the fire.

At the time of filing this report, the gate leading to the court was under lock and key and security men could be seen preventing lawyers, litigants and other court users from gaining access into the premises.