Foundation of collapsed structure at the Synagogue did not fail – expert

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere was told, Thursday that the foundation of the guest house in the premises of Pastor T.B Joshua’s Synagogue of All Nations Church did not fail before its collapse.

This revelation formed part of the submission by a geotechnical expert, and defence witness, Mr. Ebenezer Ologuntoye who testified on the structure which collapsed on 12 September, 2014.

Mr. Ologuntoye, a member of the Nigerian Geotechnical Association told the court, Thursday that findings on the test carried out on the collapsed building revealed that the foundation of the building did not fail and the bearing capability was adequate.

The witness made this revelation in his testimony before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo.

The defendants, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun alongside their companies – Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company and Jandy Trust Lt are standing trial on a 110-count charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Led-in evidence by the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo SAN, the witness, Ologuntoye said he belongs to a Non-governmental organisation known as ‘Building Collapse and Protection Guild’ (BCPG) that is interested in reducing incidents of collapse building to the barest minimum.

The witness told Justice Lawal-Akapo that he has worked with renowned organizations in Nigeria and the diaspora.

 Reeling out his work experience, he said he has worked with a Polish company, Naeimor International, Ekiti State Service Local Government Commission, Foundation Development Limited in London, Lakeside Park and London among others.

According Ologuntoye, he got to know about the collapse of SCOAN building through BCPG when he was selected as a member of the committee saddled with the responsibility of investigating possible cause of the collapsed building.

End

Source: Independent