The Managing Director of Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, Richard Nyong, was, on Monday, arraigned before an Igbosere High Court sitting in Lagos over alleged negligence resulting in the collapse of the building which reportedly killed more than 30 people on March 10, 2016.
Arraigned alongside Nyong before Justice Sybil Nwaka are Lekki Gardens’ Executive Director, Sola Olumofe; the firm’s contractor, Odofin Taiwo; Omolabake Mortunde; Omotilewa Joseph; Lekki Gardens; Get Rich Investment Limited and HC Insight Solution Limited.
Before the arraignment of the defendants, Justice Nwaka had ruled on an application contesting the suitability of the criminal charges against the defendants on the ground that there was no seal of the counsel to the prosecution on the information as required.
After the charges were read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty, while their lawyers, urged the court to allow the defendants to continue enjoying the previous bail granted to them by the Magistrate Court
In response, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem the Lagos State Attorney General said in as much as the court had discretion on the matter, it was important for conditions that would ensure the presence of the defendants for trial to be imposed.
In her ruling, Justice Nwaka ruled that the defendants, except the second defendant (Mr. Olumofe), should continue enjoying their bail conditions, but added that they should deposit their international passports with the court.
The Judge granted Olumofe in the sum of N100,000 and two sureties in like sum. The sureties, according to the court, must be gainfully employed, while the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) must verify the sureties.
The court also ordered Mr. Olumofe to deposit his international passport, while he is to be remanded in prison pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
It would be recalled that a six-storey building under construction by Lekki Gardens in Lekki, Lagos collapsed and killed 34 people.
The developer was said to have added an additional floor to the building against what was approved by government for construction.
Specifically, the defendants are facing six-count charges bordering failure to obtain building approval for the collapsed building and involuntary manslaughter, offences contrary to and punishable under Section 75 (1) of the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of Lagos State 2010, and Section 229 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 respectively.
The matter was adjourned to October 26 and 30 for hearing.