On Igbosere Road in Lagos once stood one of Nigeria’s most venerable colonial judicial buildings: the Lagos High Court, formerly known as the Lagos Supreme Court. Erected in the 1950s, this building symbolised both the colonial legacy of Nigeria’s legal institutions and the evolution of an independent judiciary.
Origins and Architecture
The building was constructed during the colonial era as the Lagos Supreme Court, serving as the highest judicial authority in the colony. Following Nigeria’s independence and the establishment of a federal judicial structure, it was re-designated as the Lagos High Court after the creation of the Federal Supreme Court.
Architecturally, the Igbosere courthouse was a fine example of colonial-style institutional design. Its layout included four air-conditioned courtrooms, a library, and judges’ chambers. The design reflected both the need for dignity in the colonial justice system and practical considerations suited to Nigeria’s climate.
Historical Significance
Over decades, the Lagos High Court became more than just a building: it was a symbol of Nigeria’s legal development and judicial continuity. Landmark cases, constitutional battles, and ordinary civil and criminal matters all passed through its halls. Many of Nigeria’s senior legal luminaries once walked its corridors.
As one of the country’s oldest courthouses, the Igbosere High Court embodied the transformation of Nigeria’s legal system—from colonial institutions to an independent, sovereign judiciary. It occupied a place of respect in the public imagination and legal profession.
Demise in Modern Times
Tragically, the historic building was destroyed during the #EndSARS protests in October 2020. As demonstrators clashed with security forces and the protests escalated, the Igbosere courthouse was set ablaze and suffered extensive damage. The destruction was widely mourned as not only a loss of property but a symbolic loss of national legal heritage.
Legacy
Though the structure no longer stands, the legacy of the Igbosere High Court lives on in Nigerian legal history. Its memory continues to inform conversations about preservation, institutional memory, and the cost of social and political upheaval. Legal scholars, architects, and historians still cite it as a key landmark in Nigeria’s judicial journey.
Today, efforts to rebuild, memorialise, or archive what remains of the court are part of a broader drive to safeguard Nigeria’s architectural and institutional past. The story of Igbosere is a reminder that physical buildings can carry national memory—and that their loss can resonate far beyond bricks and mortar.
Sources:
Nigerian Judiciary historical records
Media reports on the 2020 #EndSARS protests and the destruction of Igbosere High Court
