Ten years after synagogue collapse, group demands update from Lagos Justice Commissioner

Ten years after the collapse of the Church of All Nations Synagogue building, a group, Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) Igando-Ikotun Cell, has called on the Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, to inform Nigerians about the current case.

Recall that the Lagos State Government announced after the incident that it would not charge the Synagogue Church of All Nations with criminal negligence as recommended by a Court of Inquiry that investigated the September 12, 2014 incident.

The state government had pointed out that charges would only be brought against the church if it had failed to obtain the necessary permission to convert the original two-story building into a six-story building.

In a statement jointly signed by its coordinator, Mrs. Adekemi Okusaga, its Secretary General, Bidr. Olusola Aiyelemi, and its Press Secretary, Eng. Segun Fadeyi, the group lamented that ten years after the incident, questions about the outcome of the trial remain unanswered.

The guild, which was involved in the investigation after the incident, stressed that justice must be done for the 116 victims of the collapsed building.

According to the guild, the lack of consequences and deterrence perpetuates a culture of impunity.

The statement read: “On Friday, September 12, 2014, a tragic incident occurred when a 7-storey multi-purpose building collapsed on the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Ikotun, Lagos State, Nigeria. In response to this devastating news, members of the Igando-Ikotun Cell of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) rushed to the scene of the accident to offer assistance.

“Sadly, 116 people, including some foreigners, lost their lives in this devastating collapse, while many others suffered injuries of varying severity.

“As an independent panel of construction experts, BCPG was appointed by the Commission of Inquiry to investigate the causes of the collapse which resulted in so many fatalities. An intensive technical investigation was carried out which resulted in a comprehensive report which was crucial to the subsequent prosecution.

“September 12th marks the tenth anniversary of the unfortunate building collapse. How time flies! On this solemn day, however, we are faced with an urgent question: How will the court case turn out?

“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 fosters a culture of impunity.”

“Since the deadly synagogue collapse, BCPG has recorded 306 other building collapses in Nigeria, killing no fewer than 508 people and injuring many more. This avoidable loss of life and enormous waste of building materials must stop!

“Today the members of the BCPG pray for the repose of the lost souls and for divine comfort and protection for the bereaved.

“The anniversary of September 12 is a reminder to all Nigerians that safety in building construction must be a top priority to prevent further loss of precious lives from these tragic building collapses. Prevention is better than mitigation.”