The Lagos State Judiciary has appointed a coroner to investigate the deaths of 10 individuals who perished in the recent fire incident at Afriland Tower in the state.
The move follows a formal petition by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who called on the Chief Coroner of Lagos State to initiate an inquest into the tragedy.
Earlier reports indicated that the fire resulted from smoke originating in the inverter room located within the building, leading to multiple fatalities.
Social media footage of the incident showed occupants attempting to leap from the multi-storey structure, while some were evacuated using ladders by residents and bystanders who responded to the emergency.
In a letter dated September 29 and titled “Request For Inquest Into The Death Of Ten (10) Persons At Afriland Tower,” signed by Taiwo Olawanle on behalf of Falana & Falana’s Chambers, the law firm invoked Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law, 2007, which requires an inquest into deaths occurring under violent, unnatural, or suspicious circumstances.
The petition stated: “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.”
The letter continued: “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.”
In response, the state judiciary confirmed the case has been assigned to Coroner Court 9 of the Igbosere District, which convenes at Court 4, Yaba Magisterial District.
A notice issued Monday and signed by Senior Magistrate A. Adetunji indicated that a preliminary meeting involving all relevant stakeholders has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, to establish the framework for the inquest proceedings.
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.”
It added: “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.”
When convened, the coroner’s inquest is expected to establish the cause and circumstances surrounding the deaths and provide recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
