Ten years after the Synagogue Church of All Nations building collapse, a group, the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Igando-Ikotun Cell, has called on the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, to provide Nigerians with update of the case.
Recall that after the incident, the Lagos State government had disclosed that it will not prosecute the Synagogue Church of All Nations for criminal negligence as recommended by a coroner’s court which investigated the incident which occurred on September 12, 2014.
The state government had noted that the church will only be prosecuted for failure to obtain requisite permit before converting the originally two-storey building, to a six-storey structure.
The group in a statement jointly signed by the its coordinator, Mrs. Adekemi Okusaga, General Secretary Bidr. Olusola Aiyelemi, and Publicity Secretary, Engr. Segun Fadeyi, lamented that ten years after the incident, there are still unanswered questions on the outcome of the court case.
The Guild, which participated in the investigation following the incident, emphasised that justice must be served for the 116 victims of the collapsed building.
According to the Guild, the absence of consequences and deterrence perpetuates a culture of impunity.
The statement reads, “On Friday, September 12, 2014, a tragic incident occurred when a 7-storey multipurpose building within the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun, Lagos State, Nigeria, collapsed. In response to this devastating news, members of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Igando-Ikotun Cell rushed to the scene to offer assistance.
“Sadly, 116 people, including some foreigners, lost their lives in this calamitous collapse, while many others sustained various degrees of injury.
“As an independent body of built environment professionals, BCPG was tasked by the Coroner’s Inquest to investigate the causes of the collapse that led to such a huge loss of lives. An intensive technical investigation was carried out, resulting in a comprehensive report that became instrumental in the subsequent court prosecution.
“September 12 marks the 10th anniversary of this unfortunate building collapse. How time flies! However, a pressing question weighs on our minds on this solemn day: What is the outcome of the court case?
“We hereby call on the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, to provide an answer to this important and legitimate question.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. The lack of consequences and deterrence foster a culture of impunity.
“Since the fatal Synagogue building collapse, BCPG has recorded 306 additional building collapses in Nigeria, resulting in the deaths of no fewer than 508 people, with many others injured. This preventable loss of lives and the colossal waste of building materials must stop!
“Today, BCPG members offer prayers for the repose of the souls lost and for divine comfort and protection for the bereaved.
“The September 12 anniversary serves as a reminder to all Nigerians to prioritize safety in building construction in order to prevent the continued loss of precious lives through these tragic building collapses. Prevention is superior to damage control.”