Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has condemned and described the burning of the Ilesa High Court 2 building by suspected criminals as “an unjustifiable attack on the state judiciary”.

The governor also ordered security agencies to investigate and immediately strengthen their presence across all the court premises in the state, according to a statement on Monday by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed.

“Thorough investigation must be conducted by the security agencies to apprehend the suspects and ensure they face the consequences of their actions,” Mr Adeleke said.

“I further direct security agencies to beef up surveillance across the various court buildings.”

According to Mr Adeleke, the incident happened overnight, destroying sensitive documents and exhibits, as the court building was largely razed by fire.

He noted that the state fire service was lately mobilised to the scene, with little to no opportunity to save important documents.

Mr Adeleke, however, tasked the state’s security operatives to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The governor implored the state attorney general and commissioner for justice to work with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to rehabilitate the court facility.

“Additionally, the attorney general and commissioner for justice is to join hands with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for the immediate rehabilitation of the burnt-down building,” Mr Adeleke said.

Mr Adeleke stated that the incident was a threat to democracy, as the judiciary arm remained the arbiter of the democratic process.  

An incident of this nature had once occurred at the same facility on February 13, 2017, under the headship of the then-Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Some hoodlums had stormed the Ilesa High Court in the early hours of the day to burn a section of the court. 

No publicly available information, however, confirmed if the perpetrators were arrested.