Synagogue founder, Joshua absent at coroner’s inquest

Founder of Synagogue of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Joshua,  on Wednesday failed to  appear before the coroner court investigating the collapse of a guest house within the church on September 12.

One hundred and sixteen persons, mostly South Africans, lost their lives in the incident.

The coroner judge, Magistrate, Oyetade Komolafe,  had ruled insisted that  Joshua, alongside the contractor handling the project  must appear before the court in person to testify despite objections by the church’s legal representatives.

The proceedings, which witnessed scores of supporters of the Synagogue founder, including physically challenged men and women, started more than three hours behind schedule following a downpour that paralysed commercial and vehicular activities in most parts of Lagos State.

While addressing the courts, the church’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo,  told the court that Joshua and the contractor were absent because they had not been served the witness summons.

“There is need for us to make certain clarifications, with your lordship’s permission. May I with respect inform this honourable court that as at today, no summons to appear before this court has been personally served on T.B.  Joshua.  I do not want this honourable court to be misled that witness summons had been served on Prophet T.B. Joshua,” he stated.

He added that Joshua was not around last Friday when the court bailiffs attempted to serve him the summons.  He also said the contractor could not be served because his residential address could not be verified.

While testifying, the General Manager of the Lagos Emergency MANAGEMENT Agency, (LASEMA), Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said that his agency got a distress call at 12.45 p.m. on September 12 and arrived at the scene 35 minutes later.

Despite arriving in a LASEMA branded Lexus jeep and dressed in the agency’s uniform, Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu said he was screened for 15 minutes by the church’s security before being allowed to enter the first barricade.

Source: dailyindependent