By Eric Elezuo

The 1st of November, 2021 has come and gone, but the echoes, far from literary, will remain with the Lagos public for a very long time, especially residents of Ikoyi, where the 21-storey building, nicknamed 360 Degrees, imploded and collapsed, turning years of hard work, finance and latent energy into rubbles, and taking with it precious lives of over 40 precious souls in the bargain.

Since the building collapse, in the hot sun of that Monday afternoon, many theorists, albeit emergency, have propounded theories as to what might have happened, casting aspersions to as many people as possible including the owner of the project, Mr Femi Osibona, also known as Fourscore, who incidentally, was killed in the incident, the vice president of the nation, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and Chief Executive Officer of Elizade Motors, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo.

Bode Gbore, in his analysis of the situation wrote:

“This collapse, is four days ago, but we already have conclusions from the minds that are not fit for a sane environment. Meanwhile, we may need about seven more days for total evacuation to complete.

“So soon, some people who know nothing about building of houses, especially a highrise, have concluded on the Social Media Panel of Enquiries, on what brought the house down, who caused it, the Owner of the land and those who have invested or who is fronting for who.

“Then appears the name of Mr. Credibility, who has uncommon integrity that, I must confess, we are learning from.

Those who know him, will stand up and tell you one thing that is certain, you can’t run illegalities around Yemi Osinbajo. You just have to do the right things, in the right way! All other options, are closed!

If you commit a crime around him, you will spend your time!”

He was talking about the dragging of Prof Osinbajo into the matter as the owner of the project, a situation a crowd of witnesses who know the vice president said was dead on arrival.

However, a lot of theories have been posited as to the actual cause of the building collapse, with many pointing accusing fingers at late Osibona, saying he went beyond the approved standard to erect a building completely out of bounds.

It was rumoured even as a document surfaced online, that the actual approved number of storeys for the project was from eight to 15 floors, but the owners of the project extended it by adding six extra floors, thereby causing the colossal collapse of the edifice.

The document, signed by one Muritala Olawale of Prowess Engineering Limited, alleged that it excused itself as structural engineer for Fourscore as a result of the anomalies. The letter was purportedly written on February 20, 2021.

As if that wasn’t enough, a nameless write up trended the media space, accusing the project of double standard and the vice president of culpability.

The message hinted in part thus:

“The initial design was for 8 floors so the foundation was designed for only 8 floors. His first approval was for 8 storeys, but he continued construction so when he got to the 10th floor, he was arrested with his workers and taken to Alausa in a black Maria. He sorted himself out and obtained approval for 15 storeys for which he paid the official amount.

He was released and the site reopened with Governor’s approval. Only the Governor gives approval for a stop order or reopen order on multistorey developments.

“The land is owned by the VP Osibajo and he is an investor in the development. The developer- Femi Osibona who used to sell t-shirts in Abuja market is living in another property which belongs to the VP adjacent to The Gerrard Rd development.

“As of last week, he has two latest Rolls Royce cars parked in his compound which he just bought. The whole episode stinks and the can of worms will be opened eventually. This may consume the VP’s political ambition. Sanwo-Olu suspended the GM of the Lagos Agency for effect. The guy has no power to close or reopen any multistorey development without obtaining the consent of the Governor. Construction is our business.

“The real culprits will be exposed eventually. VP & Sanwo are culpable. It’s their investment.”

As originally stated, the writer remains anonymous, and observers have dismissed it as hand work of thoroughbred mischief makers.

But again, more documents emanating from the Ministry of Physical and Urban Planning said something completely different. It posited that appropriate approvals were granted for specified numbers of floors, thereby supporting the Deputy Governor of Lagos State’s angle that 21 floors approval was actually given, but the cause of the collapse must have been triggered by structural defect.

“These show he was given approval for 15 and 20 floors respectively. The approval for the Gym was 7 floors.

“This is from the District Office in Ikoyi of the Physical & Planning Ministry. I can see where the conflict occurred. Whereas the ministry’s district office in Ikoyi approved two 15-storey buildings, one 20/21-storey building and one 7-storey building for the gym and suspended swimming, the same ministry in Alausa gave a permit for three 15-storey buildings,” the source who confided in The Boss, explained.

Lending Credence to the transparency of Mr Osibona, veteran journalist, Chief Dele Momodu, informed that Osibona had full intentions of living in the collapsed building, and as a result, had no reason whatsoever to cut corners. He therefore wondered what could have triggered the sudden collapse of the gigantic edifice.

But in their separate responses, the vice president and Elizade boss, debunked the allegations of culpability in the ownership of the project, with Prof Osinbajo threatening lawsuit against an online news media, from where the supposed tale emanated.

Chief Ade-Ojo vehemently dismissed as falsehood the allegations that he owned the land where the project was erected, and that he also sold same to Prof Osinbajo.

He maintained that he owned a project beside the collapsed building which he has not sold to anyone nor intend to sell to anyone.

In the same vein, the Vice President through a statement signed by his media aide, Laolu Akande, refuted the allegations, saying he has no interest whatsoever in the property, adding that all his property and assets are in the public domain. The statement is as follows:

IKOYI HIGH-RISE COLLAPSE:
OSINBAJO SADDENED, CONDOLES WITH AFFECTED FAMILIES & DEBUNKS DESPICABLE LIES IN SPONSORED ONLINE REPORT

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is saddened by the events that occurred in Lagos on Monday, 1st of November 2021, where a high-rise building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, collapsed. He condoles with the families and relatives of all those who have died, were injured or affected in the collapse. Prof. Osinbajo considers this painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.

Also, the attention of the Vice President has been drawn to an obviously sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building published by Sahara Reporters on November 4th, 2021, to the effect that:

1. The VP owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.

2. That the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and

3. That the Vice President, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property.

Let it be made absolutely clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.

He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.

At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade. Ojo or anyone for that matter.

All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.

Also, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed. He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.

The Vice President restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.

The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.

Sahara Reporters were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct. Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism, the publication was not signed by anyone.

The Vice President has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.

Also, the friends of the Vice President joined their voices to his in condemning the actions of the online medium.

Their statement reads “It is most unfortunate that at a time when people are mourning over the collapse of the Ikoyi building and the loss of several lives in the most unfortunate circumstances, some mischief makers are trying to scorecheap political goals and use this very sad situation to tarnish the name and image of our hardworking and humble Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

“The Social media has suddenly become awash with information trying to link the VP directly or indirectly to the collapsed structure.

“Some stories say the developer, Mr Femi Osibiona is a front for some big guns in Government, others directly say the land is owned by the VP, whilst others make a veiled connection to the Governor of Lagos.

“For the avoidance of doubt and for the sake of those who may be misled by the spurious and totally unfounded statements, we as concerned colleagues and friends of the VP wish to make it clear that the VP has never been involved, neither does he have any ownership interest in the developers Company or business.

“The facts can be easily verified from the Corporate affairs Commission or land registry which the malicious writers have failed to check or show a connection between the VP and the collapsed building”.

“We commiserate with the families of those who have lost lives and limbs as well as those still in agony of not knowing what the fate of those beneath the rubles in this most unfortunate incident. We urge that as Nigerians, we should show more compassion and empathy to grieving compatriots rather than attempting to score political goals through it”.

While the Nigeria public awaits the outcome of Lagos State governor’s panel of enquiry, which has been set up, and mandated to report within a month pertinent questions keep creeping up, begging for answers.

Among them is why did the building implode instead of exploding? Was there an underground sabotage against the personality of the Mr Osibona? Did the government of Lagos State actually gave two contradicting approvals for the high-rise building?

Apart from Osibona, the collapsed building also claimed the lives of Wale Bob-Oseni, who made a brief stopover at the building site while on his way to airport enroute the United States, where he was a resident. A surprised birthday was in the offing for him come November 28.

Others who perished in the ill-fated building were the PAs of Osibona among his other staff, corps members, IT students in the service of Fourscore among other artisans and visitors to the site.

Only time will tell what will happen in the nearest future because the end has not been heard of the ‘earthquake’ of Gerrard Road, Ikoyi.