The Lagos State government has mandated a coroner’s inquest to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 10 individuals who perished in a recent fire at Afriland Towers, Lagos.
This directive follows a formal appeal from prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), who called on the Chief Coroner of Lagos State to launch a thorough inquiry into the tragic event’s root causes.
Falana’s petition, dated September 29, 2025, was addressed to Justice Mojisola Dada, the Chief Coroner, urging immediate action.
The fire, which originated from smoke emitted in the building’s inverter room, resulted in the loss of 10 lives and left several others injured.
In the letter, Falana’s law firm, known for its dedication to human rights, legal integrity, and public accountability in Nigeria, highlighted the gravity of the incident. It noted that the victims included four employees of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and six staff members from United Capital, all trapped inside the six-story structure as dense smoke filled the premises.
“Given the preventable nature of this calamity, we respectfully request that you initiate a coroner’s inquest into these deaths and provide recommendations pursuant to Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law, 2007. This law mandates an inquest whenever a death occurs under violent, unnatural, or suspicious conditions,” the letter emphasized.
In response, the Lagos judiciary confirmed the assignment of the case to Coroner Court 9, located within the Igbosere District at Court 4, Yaba Magisterial District.
A formal notice, signed by Senior Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, announced a preliminary meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 9 AM. This session will bring together all relevant parties to discuss the framework and procedures for the inquest.
The notice read, “Your case has been allocated to Coroner Court 9 of the Igbosere District, sitting at Court 4, Yaba District. A preliminary meeting with all stakeholders is planned for October 14, 2025, at 9 AM. Kindly assist by providing detailed information on key participants who should attend.”
Once convened, the coroner’s inquest aims to establish the precise cause and conditions of the fatalities and to propose measures that will help avert similar disasters in the future.