By Ameh Ejekwonyilo
Abuja
With barely five days to the retirement of the Abuja High Court Chief Judge, fire yesterday destroyed a part of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The fire, which eyewitnesses said lasted for about two hours, gutted completely the equipment, documents and other office items in the Probate Section of the court.
The fire incident, suspected to had been caused by power surge in the section, started at about 4.30pm and was put-out some minutes after 6pm.
Information Officer of the court, Mrs. Tabita Kangiwa, confirmed the fire outbreak, saying: “All I can tell you now is that the fire affected the Probate Section of the court. I had gone home when I was called back to return to office because of the incident.
“I learnt the Chief Judge and the Chief Registrar were still in court when the smoke was observed at the Probate Section. The fire has been put out now, maybe details will be out tomorrow (Friday).”
The fire incident is coming on the heels of the retirement of the FCT High Court Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Bukar.
The court had already fixed next Tuesday for the valedictory court session for the retiring of the Chief Judge.