The Lagos State judiciary has initiated a coroner’s inquest into the tragic deaths of ten individuals following a devastating fire incident at Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos Island, on September 16. This formal, public hearing aims to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatalities and is scheduled to commence with a preliminary meeting on October 14.

The fire, which reportedly originated in the building’s basement inverter room, rapidly produced thick smoke that engulfed the six-storey edifice. This created a perilous environment, trapping many occupants. Among the ten confirmed fatalities were four staff members of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and six employees of United Capital Plc (UCAP), who were tenants in the building alongside a branch of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and other businesses. Several other individuals sustained injuries while attempting to escape the blaze.

Emergency responders from the Federal Fire Service and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were deployed to the scene. Their efforts led to the rescue of nine people, five of whom were revived on-site, while four were found unconscious. Disturbing viral videos circulated on social media, depicting workers desperately smashing windows, clinging to ledges, or jumping onto safety mats laid out below to escape the inferno.

The decision for a coroner’s inquest was prompted by a formal request from Femi Falana Chambers, a human rights law firm. In a letter dated September 29, signed on behalf of the firm by Taiwo Olawanle and addressed to the chief coroner of the high court of Lagos, the chambers urged an investigation into what they described as a “sudden but avoidable” incident. The request was made in strict adherence to Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law 2007, which mandates an inquest whenever a coroner is informed of a death within their district that occurs under violent, unnatural, or suspicious circumstances.

In response, the Lagos judiciary, through a letter dated October 5 and signed by Senior Magistrate A.A. Adetunji, confirmed that the inquest has been assigned to Coroner Court 9 of the Igbosere District. This court will sit at Court 4, Yaba Magisterial District. A preliminary meeting with all involved parties and suggested stakeholders is tentatively slated for October 14 at 9 AM at Court 4, Yaba Magisterial District, to determine the course of the inquest. The judiciary has also requested detailed information on stakeholders whose attendance would be crucial for the meeting.

Afriland Properties Plc, the owners of Afriland Towers, confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing, with preliminary findings consistent with the inverter room as the source of the fire. The blaze was contained by emergency services by the evening of the incident day. Safety inspections of Afriland Towers, situated in Lagos Island’s bustling business district, are continuing. An official final casualty figure is yet to be released by authorities as the legal proceedings move forward.