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A defence counsel witness, who survived the collapsed Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN)’ guest house, Taiwo Taiwo, on Thursday, told a Lagos State High Court in Igbosere that the church had been responsible for taking care of the dependants of the victims.
The state had filed criminal charges against the registered trustees of the church and four others
They were arraigned on 111 counts bordering on building without approval and involuntary manslaughter.
The defendants are being prosecuted in relation to the September 12, 2014, collapse of a six-storey building on the premises of the SCOAN in the Ikotun area of Lagos, which claimed no fewer than 116 lives.
Listed as the 1st to 5th defendants in the suit are the registered trustees of SCOAN; Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company; Jandy Trust Limited; and Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, both engineers.
According to the prosecution, the offences are contrary to Section 75 of the Urban and Regional Planning Law of Lagos State, 2010, as well as Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Taiwo, who is a volunteer guest worker in the church, said SCOAN had not failed at any time to carry out its obligations towards the dependants of the deceased.
Taiwo, who was led in evidence by one of the defence counsels, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), told the court that he arrived at the collapsed building site around noon before the incident occurred.
“I was unconscious and was only rescued a day after the incident with a burning sensation in my back, and when I opened my eyes, the environment was dark,” he stated.
The presiding judge, Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, adjourned the case till January 25, for the continuation of trial.
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The state had filed criminal charges against the registered trustees of the church and four others
They were arraigned on 111 counts bordering on building without approval and involuntary manslaughter.
The defendants are being prosecuted in relation to the September 12, 2014, collapse of a six-storey building on the premises of the SCOAN in the Ikotun area of Lagos, which claimed no fewer than 116 lives.
Listed as the 1st to 5th defendants in the suit are the registered trustees of SCOAN; Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company; Jandy Trust Limited; and Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, both engineers.
According to the prosecution, the offences are contrary to Section 75 of the Urban and Regional Planning Law of Lagos State, 2010, as well as Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
At Thursday’s proceedings, Taiwo, who is a volunteer guest worker in the church, said SCOAN had not failed at any time to carry out its obligations towards the dependants of the deceased.
Taiwo, who was led in evidence by one of the defence counsels, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), told the court that he arrived at the collapsed building site around noon before the incident occurred.
“I was unconscious and was only rescued a day after the incident with a burning sensation in my back, and when I opened my eyes, the environment was dark,” he stated.
The presiding judge, Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, adjourned the case till January 25, for the continuation of trial.
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