Inquest into Synagogue collapse begins Oct 13

The coroner’s inquest into the recent collapse of a building within the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) at Ikotun Egbe, a Lagos suburb, would  commence sitting on October 13.

Bola Akingbade, spokeswoman of the Lagos state ministry of justice, made this disclosure in Ikeja on  Friday.

She said the inquest would take place at the premises of the Ikeja high court and would be presided over by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe.

Eighty-six people were reportedly killed and 131 others  rescued after the multi-storeyed building collapsed on September 12.

The inquest was instituted under the Lagos state coroner’s system Law No. 7 of 2007 for the purpose of establishing the cause and manner of the collapsed building incident.

Those expected to give evidence at the inquest would  include founder of the church, Prophet Temitope Joshua, and the contractors handling  the church building.

Others are members of victims’ families and some media houses.

Akingbade said ministries, departments and parastatal agencies (MDAs) of Lagos state, the state police command, security agencies and the Nigerian Red Cross would testify as well.

Lindiw Ndwande and Rebone Tau – two South Africans who witnessed the incident – are also expected to give evidence.

She urged the expected organisations, bodies and persons to contact the coroner’s registrar immediately to schedule their appearances.

She also urged those who wish to give evidence or tender any material that would assist the coroner in its findings to contact the registrar.