Court Remands Lekki Gardens MD, Contractor In Police Custody
The Ebute-Meta Magistrate Court has remanded the Managing Director of Lekki Gardens, Mr. Nyong Richard, and a contractor, Odofin Taiwo, in police custody for their role in the collapse of a five-storey building in Lekki, Lagos.
The building, which was under construction had collapsed on Tuesday, killing 35 people and injuring several others.
Magistrate, Mrs. Afolashade Bokotu, ordered that Richard and Taiwo, who were brought to the court in handcuffs earlier today should be kept in police custody at the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba for the next 30 days, pending the conclusion of police investigation.
The Lagos State government had arraigned both men two days after it accused the management of Lekki Gardens, where the building collapsed of being responsible for the incident.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, on Wednesday, the state government said the building had been sealed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, only for the management of Lekki Gardens, to continue without approval.
“Based on preliminary reports and investigation, it was discovered that the collapsed building was served contravention notice for exceeding the approved floors and thereafter sealed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency,” the statement read in part.
The state government, however, said it had been discovered that “in a brazen act of defiance and impunity, the owners of the building, Messrs Lekki Worldwide Estate Limited, the promoters of Lekki Gardens, criminally unsealed the property and continued building beyond the approved floors until the unfortunate incident of Tuesday which has led to loss of lives.”
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, consequently, directed the directors of Messrs Lekki Worldwide Estate, the promoters of Lekki Gardens, to report to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, within 24 hours or face arrest.
Richard and Taiwo were arrested on Thursday.
