The Lagos State Judiciary has assigned a coroner to investigate the death of the 10 people who died following the recent fire at the Afriland Tower in the state.
This followed a formal request by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), urging the Chief Coroner of Lagos State to conduct an inquest into the incident.
It was reported that the incident, which was a result of smoke that emanated from the inverter room domiciled in the building, resulted in the casualties.
According to multiple videos shared on social media, individuals were seen attempting to jump from the Afriland Tower storey building, while others were rescued with the aid of ladders by residents and passersby.
In the letter titled “Request For Inquest Into The Death Of Ten (10) Persons At Afriland Tower,” and signed on September 29 by Taiwo Olawanle on behalf of Falana & Falana’s Chambers, the firm requested the coroner to act under Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law, 2007.
It added that the section mandated an inquest into deaths resulting from violent, unnatural, or suspicious circumstances.
The request read, “We are a firm of legal practitioners committed to the defence of human rights, the rule of law, and public accountability in Nigeria. It was alleged that 10 people lost their lives in the September 16, 2025, fire at Afriland Tower on Broad Street, Lagos Island. The victims included four officials of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and six workers of United Capital, who were trapped in the six-storey building after thick smoke engulfed the premises.
Having regard to the avoidable tragic incident, we humbly request you to use your good offices to cause a coroner’s inquest to be conducted into the cause of the death of this sudden but avoidable death of these persons and make appropriate recommendations under Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law 2007 which provides that an inquest shall hold whenever a coroner is informed that the death of a deceased person within his Coroner District is as a result of a death in a violent, unnatural or suspicious situation.”
Responding, the state judiciary confirmed that the matter had been assigned to Coroner Court 9 of the Igbosere District, which sits at Court 4, Yaba Magisterial District.
In a notice issued and signed by a senior magistrate, A. Adetunji, on Monday, the judiciary noted that a preliminary meeting involving all relevant stakeholders had been scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, to chart a course for the inquest.
The notice read, “Please be informed that your matter has been assigned to Coroner Court 9 of Igbosere District, sitting at Court 4, Yaba District. There would be a Preliminary Meeting with all parties to chart a course for the Inquest if one were to be convened
“Your kind assistance is thus welcomed with detailed information of suggested stakeholders who must attend the said Meeting. The Preliminary Meeting is hereby tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, the 14th of October, 2025, at Court 4 Yaba Magisterial District at 9am; pending the confirmation of attendance and convenience of all parties,” the notice read.
The coroner’s inquest, when convened, is expected to determine the cause and circumstances of the deaths and make recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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