Confirming the incident, the court registrar, Oluchi Uduma, revealed to journalists in Owutu-Edda on Wednesday that the inferno consumed the entire court building, including vital court documents. She described the incident as vandalism, calling the authorities to bring the culprits to justice.
Speaking on the matter, the Chairman of Afikpo South LGA, Chima Nkama, lamented the destruction of the court, which he said was a vital institution in the community. He expressed shock and sadness at the devastation inflicted on the court, calling the relevant authorities to take swift action to bring the perpetrators to book.
The incident has been reported to the police, according to Nkama, who expressed hope that the culprits would be apprehended and made to face the full wrath of the law. He urged community members to remain calm and law-abiding while the authorities work to ensure justice is served.
This incident is one in a series of arson cases in the South East. In December 2022, a magistrates’ court in Owerri and a high court in Orlu LGA of Imo State were also razed by gunmen. The trend is a worrying development that threatens the rule of law and the administration of justice in the region, which has recently been grappling with security challenges.