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Synagogue building collapse: Coroner’s inquest to commence sitting October 13

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The coroner’s inquest into the recent collapse of a building within the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations at Ikotun, a Lagos suburb, would commence sitting on October 13.

This is contained in a statement signed by Bola Akingbade, spokesperson of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, and made available to journalists on Friday in Ikeja.

The statement said the inquest would take place at the premises of the Ikeja High Court and would be presided over by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe.

115 persons were reportedly killed and 131 others rescued after the multi-storey building collapsed on Septober12.

The inquest was instituted under the Lagos State Coroner’s System Law No. 7 of 2007 for the purpose of establishing the cause and manner of the collapsed building incident.

The statement said those expected to give evidence at the inquest would include Prophet Temitope Joshua, founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, and the contractors handling  the church building.

Others are members of the families of the victims of the incident, some media houses including NAN, Channels TV, Television Continental, Vanguard newspaper, Daily Independent, The Nation and Punch Newspapers.

The statement also stated that some ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of Lagos State, the state police command, security agencies and the Nigerian Red Cross, would testify.

The statement said an eye witness, Lindiw Ndwande and Rebone Tau, chairman of the Youth League’s International Relations Committee of South Africa, would also give evidence.

It urged the expected organisations, bodies and persons to contact the coroner’s registrar immediately to schedule their appearances.

The statement also urged those who wish to give evidence or tender any material that would assist the coroner in its findings to contact its registrar.

(NAN)