Again, arsonists set ablaze Imo High Court, burn sensitive documents

Less than one week after armed hoodlums attacked and set ablaze the Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Owerri, Imo State, the Orlu High Court complex has been set ablaze by yet-to-be-identified persons.

It was gathered that the complex housing both the Magistrate Court and the High Court as well as all the files got burnt.

Speaking, one of the Judiciary workers met at the scene who gave her name as Mrs Igwe condemned the action, pointing out that the incidence automatically has crippled legal practice in Orlu as the Lawyers would have no court to do their matters.

The sad incident makes it the second time the court will be burnt. In 2018, the high court was razed.

According to one of the clerical workers of the court, who spoke on anonymous condition, “All the sensitive files in the building were burnt.”

Speaking on the development, Orlu Branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barnabas Munonye, confirmed the incident, describing it as “unfortunate”.

He said that his attention was drawn to the incident by the administrative secretary of the association early Saturday morning.

The spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, CSP Mike Abattam, also confirmed the incident, adding that the police had launched an investigation into the incident.

The PUNCH had reported a few days ago that gunmen also attacked the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Owerri.