The Founder of the Synagogue Chruch of All Nations, Prophet T.B. Joshua,
was yesterday absent at the Coroner inquest into the collapse of a six story building
in his church premises.
It would be recalled that the Coroner, Senior Magistrate Oyetade
Komolafe, had summoned T.B. Joshua to appear before the court to give his own
version of events.
Explaining Joshua’s absence, his Counsel, Olalekan Ojo, pointed out that
his client was yet to be served with a witness summons.
During the continuation of the hearing on Wednesday, Ojo said he decided
to volunteer the information to the court to prevent a public misconception
that Joshua dishonoured the court by not appearing after he had been served.
“On Friday, when he was to be served, he was not available. The Prophet,
being the chief mourner, was contacting the families of those who lost their
lives in the unfortunate incident.
“I learnt that the balliff merely gave the summons to an evangelist or
one of the workers. I advised that whoever was given the summons to should sign
to acknowledge its receipt.”
Ojo explained that since that was not done, it implied that T.B. Joshua
was not served the summons.
The SCOAN counsel also said the contractor that handled the construction
work of the collapsed building was not served because the court did not have
his contact information.
Responding to Ojo, the Coroner said he had no reason not to believe the
information being given by the counsel.
He, however, warned that T.B. Joshua must appear before him, adding that
the court would do the needful to ensure Joshua was served but he insisted that
the Clergyman must not fail to appear.
“As the chief mourner, I will not want to inflict more pain on him, but
he should help himself,” he said.
Komolafe said though he had respect for Joshua as a prophet, he must be
obedient to the laws of the land.
On getting the contact details of the contractor, the coroner requested
Ojo to help get the necessary information.
The lawyer obliged but pleaded for time. The coroner gave him till
Friday to provide the information.
Earlier during the hearing, the General Manager of the Lagos State
Emergency Agency (LASEMA), Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, testified that rescue
efforts were delayed and negatively affected because of resitance faced when
rescuers were trying to access the scene of the collapse.
“We received a call in our emergency centre. Immediately we activated
our response plan. When we got to the first gate, we saw a first security post.
We spent 15 minutes trying to find our way in, “ adding that a similar episode
repeated itself at the second gate.
The LASEMA GM also berated the Police for not being able to control the
crowd that had gathered at the scene.
He said that 131 people were rescued alive while 86 bodies were
recovered from the scene of the collapse
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