Osinbajo speaks on ownership of Lagos collapsed building

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), has expressed sadness over the collapse of a 21-storey building under construction, which has led to the death of no fewer than 40 persons as at press time.

The Vice President, who spoke in a statement on Friday, also addressed the issue of ownership of the building.

A report had said Osinbajo is the owner of the property.

According to the report, the land on which the collapsed building was built was sold to him by the owner of Elizade Motors, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo.

But reacting in a statement by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, the Vice President said “Also, the attention of the Vice President has been drawn to an obviously sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building published by Sahara Reporters on November 4th, 2021, to the effect that:

“1. The VP owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.

“2. That the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and

“3. That the Vice President, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property.

“Let it be made absolutely clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.

“He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.

“At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade-Ojo or anyone for that matter.

“All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.

“Also, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed. He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.

“The Vice President restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building, or development.

“The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.

“Sahara Reporters were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct. Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism, the publication was not signed by anyone.

“The Vice President has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.”