Barely a week after unknown gunmen razed the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Owerri, the Magistrate Court and State High Court in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State has been set ablaze by unknown arsonists.
The two different courts housed in one building, it was gathered, were totally razed down Saturday morning with all properties of the courts as well as all the office files burnt to ashes.
One Mrs Igwe, a worker in one of the courts who spoke to newsmen that visited the scene described the incident as a wicked and unwarranted attack on sacred institution of the state.
She noted that the fire incident would halt judicial activities in Orlu area for a long time as well as hamper the practice of lawyers there as they have no court to do their pending lawsuits.
Some residents of the area who reacted to the incident expressed shock at the success of the attack since the court complex is situated near a military checkpoint in Orlu Town.
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They however thanked God that no life was lost in the inferno which they believed was occasioned by a planned attack.
When contacted for comment, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of Imo Command, CSP Michael Abattam confirmed the incident but added that investigation has commenced to unmask the arsonists.
In his reaction, chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Orlu Branch, Barr. Barnabas Munonye also confirmed the incident to newsmen in Owerri.
Munonye disclosed that he received a call from one of the Registrars and the administrative secretary of NBA Orlu about the presence of unknown faces and unusual movement of people.
He added that he received a call in the early hours of Saturday morning that the Orlu Court complex has been razed down.
Barr. Munonye further hinted that his branch has already reported the incident to the police for necessary action.
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