The Lagos State Police Command says it
has arrested the Managing Director of Lekki Gardens, Mr. Richard Nyong,
for the collapse of a five-storeyed building under construction on
Kushenla Road, Ikate Elegushi, Lagos State, which killed no fewer than
35 persons. It was learnt that 34-year-old Nyong was apprehended on Thursday. One of the contractors handling the project, Odofin Taiwo, was arrested on Wednesday. The building had crumbled around 3am on Tuesday with several workers trapped in the rubble.
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| Scenes of the collapsed building. Photos: Sodiq Adelakun |
“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,” a
statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve
Ayorinde had read.
The Lagos State Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest and said arraignment will follow shortly.
Following their arraignment in court, 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.
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.
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| Richard Nyong(right), Odofin Taiwo(left) |
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 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.
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PLEASE BE POLITE