On March 8, 2016, a six-storey building under construction by Lekki Gardens Estates Limited in Ikate-Lekki in Lagos State collapsed, killing 34 persons.
The state government under ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode made so much noise and took some initial stern actions.
Founder and Chairman of Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, Richard Nyong, and seven others were arrested and charged with manslaughter among others.
In 2020, Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu entered into a settlement agreement with Lekki Gardens Estate Limited as follows:
- Lekki Gardens Estate Ltd was to make official payment of N100 million to the government.
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Lekki Gardens Estate Ltd was to earmark N50 million for all the families of the victims.
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The agreement was to claim that only FIVE families of all the victims were identified and would be compensated.
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Lagos State government was to drop all criminal charges against Lekki Gardens, Mr. Richard Nyong, and seven other accused persons.
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The case of the building collapse and investigation would be closed finally with the agreement.
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At the resumed trial before the Honorable Justice Sybil Nwaka on 2nd March 2020, the prosecution counsel (Lawyer to Lagos State government) Mr Babajide Taiwo, told the court that all the parties involved had “bargained on an agreement dated January 23, 2020 even though the court discovered that the families of the victim were not part of the agreements.
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The trial judge rejected the “Plea and Sentence Agreement” between the state and Lekki Gardens Estate Ltd. because it was drawn up in the absence of families of those who died in the incident.
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The judge also faulted the amended charge arising from the out-of-court-settlement for leaving out the criminal aspects of the original charges filed by the Lagos state government against the accused.
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The judge further frowned on the attempt by the state government to reap from the disaster by entering into an out-of-court settlement for N100m to the state and N50m to families of the victim.
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The state government and the accused persons walked away from the court as allies. The rest, as they say, is history.
Therefore, tell me, what is the noise Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is making in respect of the Ikoyi building collapse all about?
Developers will continue in their criminal acts under a government that manifestly lacks the will, capacity and conscience to enforce the law and live up to its oath of office to protect the lives and property of the citizens.
. Tony is a Port Harcourt, Rivers State based analyst.