A courtroom in the Kwara State High Court Complex in Ilorin was completely destroyed by fire on Sunday night, as reported. According to an eyewitness, the blaze erupted shortly after 8:00 PM, consuming one courtroom before the state Fire Service was able to contain it.
The State Fire Service attributed the fire to a power surge in the area surrounding the High Court complex. Among the items lost in the fire were two air conditioners, a plasma television, a fan, various documents, and courtroom furniture.
The fire service confirmed that only Courtroom No. 10 was affected, and their rapid response prevented the flames from spreading to other courtrooms and offices.
Hassan Adekunle, the State Fire Service spokesman, provided details of the incident, stating, "On Sunday, 29th September 2024, at approximately 08:02 hours, the Kwara State Fire Service swiftly responded to a fire outbreak at the High Court in Ilorin. Our fire truck and crew promptly left the station to address the situation.
"Upon arrival, we found that Courtroom No. 10 was already engulfed in flames, with the fire threatening adjacent courtrooms. Thanks to the bravery of our firefighters, we were able to contain the fire and prevent more extensive damage to the Ilorin High Court."
Investigations revealed that the fire originated from a standing air conditioner due to a power surge. Adekunle noted that both the special adviser to the state governor on special duties, Alhaji AbdulRazaq Jiddah, and the chief judge of the state, Justice Abiodun Adebara, were present at the scene and commended the firefighters for their prompt action.
He also urged the public to remain vigilant and safety-conscious to prevent future fire incidents.
