Fire destroys Cross River High court in Ogoja amid allegations of Arson and lapses in fire service
Fire destroys Cross River High court in Ogoja amid allegations of Arson and lapses in fire service
The Cross River State High Court in Ogoja, located in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), has been completely destroyed by fire, leaving no salvageable items behind.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire, which erupted during the dry season, did not result from bush burning or electrical faults. Sani Mohammed, who witnessed the incident, ruled out common causes, suggesting foul play instead.
“The front of the court is tarred, and the back is far off any bush or dry grass, so it cannot be bush burning that caused the fire,” he said.
“Also, there was no power supply at that time; in fact, Ogoja barely had light, so it cannot be an electrical fault. People here are suspecting that it may be someone who has a strong case in the court,” he added.
Efforts by locals to extinguish the fire failed due to the absence of a functioning fire service in Ogoja. “There was no fire service. Meanwhile, their office is close to the court, but that place is moribund; it needs complete rehabilitation and massive funding,” Mohammed lamented.
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Federal Fire Service Comptroller in the state, Mr. Cletus Makers (Retd.), confirmed the lack of resources, stating that the only fire truck available is stationed in Calabar, about 200km away from Ogoja.
“I know the logistics problem; we don’t have equipment. The only equipment we have is in Calabar. Even if they want to move to Ogoja, the possibility of doing anything is not there,” he explained.
Cross River State Commissioner of Police, CP Augustine Grimah, has vowed to investigate the incident as a potential case of arson.
