The Lagos State Judiciary has scheduled a preliminary meeting to begin a coroner’s inquest into the tragic Afriland Tower fire that claimed the lives of 10 people on September 16, 2025.
The preliminary session is set for Tuesday, October 14, at Court 4, Yaba Magisterial District, and will be presided over by Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, the coroner assigned to the case by the Chief Coroner of Lagos State.
Inquest Follows Falana & Falana Request
The inquest follows a formal request submitted by the law firm Falana & Falana’s Chambers, led by prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana.
In a letter dated September 29, signed by Taiwo Olawanle on behalf of the firm, the lawyers cited Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law 2007, urging the Chief Coroner to conduct an inquest into what they described as an “avoidable tragedy.”
“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 (FIRS) and six workers of United Capital,” the firm noted.
The victims reportedly became trapped in the six-storey commercial building when thick smoke rapidly engulfed the premises during the fire.
Purpose of the Inquest
The coroner’s inquest aims to:
- Investigate the cause and circumstances of the deaths
- Determine whether the incident resulted from negligence or preventable factors
- Make recommendations to prevent future tragedies of a similar nature
In a formal response dated October 6, Magistrate Adetunji invited the Falana legal team to attend a preliminary meeting along with identified stakeholders.
“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 letter read.
