Suspected criminals have set fire to the Ilesa High Court 2 building in Osun State, drawing strong condemnation from Governor Ademola Adeleke, who described the incident as an “unjustifiable attack on the state judiciary.”
In a statement released by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, on Monday, Governor Adeleke ordered security agencies to launch a thorough investigation and increase surveillance across all court premises in the state.
“The perpetrators must be identified and brought to justice,” Adeleke said, adding that the fire, which occurred overnight, destroyed sensitive documents and exhibits.
He noted that the state fire service arrived late, leaving little chance to salvage important materials.
The governor directed the state’s Attorney General and the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to begin immediate rehabilitation of the affected court facility.
Calling the arson a threat to democracy, Adeleke stressed the judiciary’s critical role in upholding the democratic process.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred at the same court.
On February 13, 2017, during Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s tenure, hoodlums also attacked and set part of the Ilesa High Court on fire.
No confirmed arrests were reported in that case.
