TB Joshua’s Synagogue Finally Arraigned before court over Manslaughter Charge

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Tragedy struch on the 12th of September 2014 when a building belonging to Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN) collapsed killing 116 people.

In the aftermath, the Trustees of the church along with the two engineers and their companies involved in the building collapse were presented with charges to answer for their perceived crimes.

The parties involved have finally been arraigned in Lagos before a Lagos High Court.

Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo ordered their arraignment after dismissing the application filed by two of the defendants seeking to quash the charge.

Since the Lagos State Government filed the 111 charges, the defendants had deployed several tactics to stall their arraignment by filing several applications.

The 111 count charges brought against the defendants borders on criminal negligence, manslaughter and failure to obtain building permit.

Immediately after Justice Akapo initial ruling, lead counsels representing the defendants made several attempt to convince the court not to proceed with the arraignment.

While Chief Lateef Fagbemi SAN representing SCOAN argued that since the business of the court today was for ruling, it would be improper to proceed with arraignment.

Chief Akpofure SAN representing Hardrock Construction Company one of the parties involved, said he just lost his mother and would not be able to proceed.

Justice Akapo however overruled them and ordered that the charges be read to the accused persons.

The defendants may likely be remanded at the prison after their arraignment.

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