A preliminary meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, to begin the Afriland Tower fire inquest. The investigation will identify what caused the deaths of ten people in the recent Broad Street fire on Lagos Island.
Coroner Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji informed Falana & Falana’s Chambers of this in a letter from the Chief Coroner.
The inquest follows a formal request by Femi Falana (SAN), who urged the judiciary to probe the September 16 tragedy.
The coroner will also make recommendations to prevent a repeat of the deadly incident. Falana’s law firm cited Section 15 and requested the inquest in a September 29, 2025 letter signed by Taiwo Olawanle.
The letter reads:
“Our firm of legal practitioners defends human rights, upholds the rule of law, and promotes public accountability in Nigeria.
“Authorities alleged that the September 16, 2025, fire at Afriland Tower on Broad Street, Lagos Island, killed ten people, including four Federal Inland Revenue officials and six United Capital workers trapped in the six-storey building by thick smoke.
“Considering the avoidable tragic incident, we humbly request you to initiate a coroner’s inquest into this sudden death and provide appropriate recommendations under Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law 2007, which mandates an inquest whenever a coroner learns that a person within their district died violently, unnaturally, or under suspicious circumstances.”
Senior Magistrate Adetunji assigned the case to Coroner Court 9, Igbosere District, sitting at Court 4 in Yaba.
In her October 6 letter, Adetunji assigned the case to Coroner Court 9 in Yaba District.
She stated that all stakeholders would hold a preliminary meeting to determine the investigation’s direction.
“We welcome your assistance and request detailed information on the stakeholders who must attend the meeting.
“Officials tentatively scheduled the preliminary meeting for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 9 a.m. in Court 4, Yaba Magisterial District, pending confirmation from all parties.”
The Afriland Tower fire inquest seeks to uncover the tragedy’s causes and recommend measures to prevent future incidents.
