A Lagos High Court in Igbosere on Thursday issued bench warrant for the
arrest of a contractor of Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, Mr Sola Olumofe for
failing to appear before the court on two consecutive occasions to stand trial
in connection with a building collapse in Lekki area of the State on March 10,
2016.
The Lagos State Government had filed criminal charges against the
Managing Director of Lekki Gardens, Richard Nyong and five other contractors
before Justice Sybil Nwaka over alleged negligence in the events leading to the
building collapse which killed 34 persons.
Aside Nyong and Olumofe, other defendants are Taiwo Odofin, Omolabake
Mortune, Marius Agwu and Omotilewa Joseph. They are standing trial alongside
their companies, Lekki Gardens Estate Ltd, GT Rich Ltd and HC Insight Solutions
Ltd.
Tragedy had struck on 10 March, 2016 when a five-storey building under
construction by Lekki Gardens in Lekki area of the State collapsed and killed
34 people.
The developer was said to have added additional floor to the building
against what was approved by government for construction.
Specifically, the defendants are facing six counts charges for failure
to obtain building approval for the collapsed building and manslaughter,
offences punishable under Section 75 of the Urban and Regional Planning and
Development Law of Lagos State 2010 and Section 224 of Criminal Law of Lagos
State 2015 respectively.
At the last adjourned date, Olumofe had failed to appear before the
court, while the matter was adjourned to June 1 for arraignment.
Again, when the matter was called, he equally failed to present himself
for arraignment, a development which prompted Justice Nwaka to issue bench
warrant for his arrest.
The judge specifically ordered that Olumofe be arrested and brought
before the court on June 14 for arraignment alongside other defendants.
It would be recalled that Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode had
expressed a strong commitment to the protection of lives and property of all
citizens in the State and the pursuit of justice for all victims of the
collapsed building.
The Governor had assured residents that nothing would be left to chance
to ensure that cases of criminal negligence and other forms of criminal
activities were prosecuted.
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