by Nosa Eresoyen, Asaba

A midnight fire outbreak has consumed the Magistrate Court 1 Ogbeokwuni Junction, beside Library Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State. 

 The fire outbreak which occurred on Saturday midnight gutted down the Court building. The mysterious fire, sources said, started at about 3am and destroyed the furniture and bookshelves in the Magistrate’s chamber; the Registrar office and the court hall including record books and all the exhibits in the exhibit room. 

 One of the sources, who pleaded anonymity, said the cause of the fire, which completely razed the building was not known, lamenting that men of the state fire service could not put out the inferno as the fire had gutted the building before their arrival. 

 No life was loss in the inferno. Residents who woke up to witness the smoke smoldering court, particularly the court workers who live around were visibly shocked and thrown into fear and apprehension as they do not know what fate awaits their case in the burnt court. 

 A staff of the court who pleaded anonymity suspected foul play, disclosing that the exhibit room was the target of attack because over 30 suspected cultists were recently arraigned in the same court while substantial evidence against the suspects were tendered in court during the sitting. 

 Meanwhile, officials of the State Ministry of Justice, Asaba had visited the scene to see the extent of damage, while the Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Council, Chief Isaac Anwuzia had through the Vice Chairman, Hon. Steve Asikawili giving marching orders to the new Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who equally visited the scene to investigate the cause of the inferno. 

 Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshal Umukoro has said that a panel of inquiry would be instituted to investigate and ascertain the reason behind the burning down of the Ogwashi-Uku Chief Magistrate Court. 

 Justice Umukoro who condemned the act, described it as unfortunate, saying that all efforts will be geared towards uncovering the immediate and remote cause of the fire outbreak. 

 It will be recalled that the exhibit room, the Chief Magistrate's Chamber and other parts of the court were burnt, including record books, exhibits and other relevant documents at the early hours of yesterday by persons suspected to be hoodlums. 

 Other areas affected include the roofs of the inner chamber, which sources close to the area disclosed that for the timely intervention of the men of Delta State fire Service, the whole building would have been razed.