Building collapse: Court grants Synagogue’s engineers N20m bail

Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court yesterday granted a N10M bail to the two engineers who supervised the construction of the collapsed six-storey guest house owned by the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN).

Justice Lawal-Akapo, ruling on the bail applications initiated by the contractors through their lawyers, granted them bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

However, Justice Lawal-Akapo, said that one of the sureties must be a civil servant at grade level 14 in the Lagos State civil service.

In addition, the trial judge told the court that the second surety must provide evidence of tax payment for three years and must also swear to an affidavit of means.

He also ordered the contractors to submit their travel documents to the Chief Registrar of the Lagos High Court.

According to the judge, the addresses of the sureties must be duly verified by the Lagos State Head of Service (HoS).

Justice Lawal-Akapo before the bail was granted to the duo , made a declaration that he was not unmindful of the presumption on innocence of the defendants until proven otherwise.

He also explained that bail is not to be used to punish an accused person, but to make an accused face his trial.

It would be recalled that the Registered Trustees of the SCOAN, and the two engineers who supervised the construction of the collapsed six-storey guest house owned by the church and their companies were arraigned before Justice Lawal-Akapo.

They were charged after the judge threw out the separate applications filed by the defendants through their lawyers who had prayed the court for proceedings to be stayed pending their appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Also, the two engineers, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun were ordered by the court to be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison.
The Lagos State Government had late last year slammed a 111-count criminal charge against the trustees of the church, the two engineers, and their companies – Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company and Jandy Trust Limited – for their involvement in the September 12, 2014 collapse of a six-storey guest house belonging to the church, which led to the death of 116 persons.

The criminal charge against the defendants touches on criminal negligence, manslaughter and failure to obtain a building permit.

The judge adjourned further hearing in the matter till May 19, 2016 for continuation of trial

Comments

Nigerian Army Intercepts 37 Wives And Children Of Boko Haram Terrorists

The Nigerian army said on Wednesday, that it had intercepted 37 people 37 people , who were suspected to be wives and children of the boko haram terrorists. The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, said in a statement that 30 of the escapees, which comprises of eight women and 22 children, were intercepted on Tuesday at Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe. He said; “On preliminary interrogation, the suspects claimed to have escaped from Boko Haram terrorists’ custody at Kafa and Abagajiri villages in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno,’’ The army spokesman added that seven other people were intercepted on Tuesday, at Kamunya, Yobe state. “They claimed that they escaped from Boko Haram terrorists’ hideout at Goropcha village, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno. “Both sets of escapees are currently being screened and profiled,’’ he said.

I will bang all men in your family if you f**k with me – Heartbroken OAP warns future partner

Kenyan OAP, Anita Raey has revealed that she won't tolerate any form of relationship drama when she finally meets her 'Mr.Right'. The Milele FM presenter, whose heart has been dealt with by a few men in the past, took to her Facebook page to caution her next partner not to misbehave or else face her villainous aftermath. ‘I know every man who wants to date me is on Facebook..So I will use this platform to deliver this message…. I have let a few of you men break my heart..Am angry coz I never learn and will still love another of your species… But I swear if one more man breaks my heart… I will put him through the same shiet… I will f*ck you up so bad you will wish death.. With that said I will bang all men in your family if you f*ck with me… This is coming from a very angry and hurt place… Now Y’all have a lovely night.. PS.. am really a nice person.. Might be hard to believe but I am.’

Nigerian scholars sponsored by Lagos State Gov. arrive Finland for visit. Photo

A group of Nigerian youngsters sponsored by Lagos State Government and their coordinator, Professor Kolawole Raheem, were Thursday, received by head of unit; Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hannu Heinonen, at Finland. The participants, whose trip was funded by Lagos State Ministry of Education, were chosen based on their outstanding performance in school. The visit, however aims at enabling the youngsters have an experience of how the Finnish society works and to offer them the possibility of bringing positive examples back to Nigeria. The participants were especially interested in matters related to environment and construction, as well as the Finnish social security and education systems. These visits that have already become somewhat of a tradition are envisaged to continue in the coming years.

ELVIS BLOG

Search This Blog