A fire outbreak has completely destroyed the Ogoja High Court in Cross River State. The incident occurred on Sunday at about 7pm, leaving the court building in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) Ogoja in ruins. Eyewitnesses stated that there was nothing left to salvage from the fire, and the cause remains unclear. Sani Mohammed, an eyewitness, ruled out bush burning and electrical faults as possible causes, suggesting that the fire may have been set intentionally by someone with a strong case in the court. Despite efforts from residents to douse the flames, no fire service personnel were present to assist. The local fire service station, which is close to the court, is reportedly in a state of disrepair and lacks the necessary resources. Cletus Makers, the Comptroller of the Federal Fire Service in the state, expressed concerns over the lack of equipment, revealing that the only available fire truck is located in Calabar, over 200 kilometers away. The Cross River State Police Commissioner, Augustine Grimah, has pledged to investigate the incident thoroughly as an arson case.
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