The coroner’s inquest into the deaths of 10 individuals in the Afriland Tower fire on Broad Street is set to commence with an initial meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, appointed by the Chief Coroner of the Lagos State Judiciary, disclosed this in a communication to the law firm Falana & Falana’s Chambers.
This inquest is a response to a formal petition by the law firm led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, requesting an investigation into the tragic event of September 16, 2025.
The Coroner aims to provide recommendations to prevent future occurrences of such incidents.
The request, dated September 29, 2025, and signed by Taiwo Olawanle on behalf of the firm, invokes Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law 2007.
The letter states, “We are a firm of legal practitioners committed to defending human rights, the rule of law, and public accountability in Nigeria.
“It was alleged that 10 lives were lost in the September 16, 2025, fire at Afriland Tower on Broad Street, Lagos Island. The victims included four officials from the Federal Inland Revenue Service and six United Capital workers, trapped in the six-storey building as thick smoke engulfed the premises.
“Given the preventable nature of this tragic incident, we humbly request the use of your good offices to initiate a coroner’s inquest into the cause of these deaths and make suitable recommendations under Section 15 of the Lagos State Coroner’s Law 2007, which mandates an inquest when a death within a Coroner District is due to violent, unnatural, or suspicious circumstances.”
In his response, dated October 6, Senior Magistrate Adetunji, on behalf of the Chief Coroner, wrote, “Please be informed that your matter has been assigned to Coroner Court 9 of the Igbosere District, sitting at Court 4, Yaba District. A Preliminary Meeting will be held with all parties to outline the Inquest’s proceedings if one is convened.
“Your cooperation is requested in providing detailed information about suggested stakeholders who should attend the Meeting.
“The Preliminary Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Court 4 Yaba Magisterial District at 9 am, pending confirmation of attendance and convenience for all parties.”
noted