Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has called for an immediate investigation into the fire that destroyed the Ilesa High Court 2 building. The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, has raised suspicions of arson.
According to The PUNCH, the Ilesa High Court complex houses three judges, each occupying different courtrooms. Justice A. Aderibigbe, the Presiding Judge, sits in Court 1, while Court 2 and Court 3 are used by two other judges.
Governor Adeleke condemned the fire, which led to the severe damage of the building, including the loss of critical legal documents and evidence. A statement released by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Monday described the attack as a “senseless assault on the judiciary” and condemned the destruction of vital court files.
“The fire, which broke out overnight, resulted in significant damage, with sensitive case files reportedly being destroyed,” the statement noted.
While the Osun State fire service was deployed to the scene, the damage had already occurred. Governor Adeleke has urged law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the cause of the fire and hold the responsible individuals accountable. He also instructed security agencies to strengthen surveillance at court facilities to prevent further incidents.
Additionally, the governor has ordered the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to work with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to restore the damaged building as soon as possible. He expressed concerns about the broader implications of such attacks on the judiciary, stressing its critical role in preserving the democratic system.
Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed that an investigation has begun. “The cause of the fire remains undetermined, though it affected the warder’s room and another office,” Ojelabi said.
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