21-storey building collapse: Osinbajo denies ownership, threatens litigation

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has denied ownership of the 21-storey building under construction on Gerald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos that collapsed on Monday.

So far, 36 bodies have been evacuated from the scene of the building collapse.

Osinbajo categorically stated that he has “no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.”

There have been allegations linking the vice president with the ownership of the collapsed high-rise building.

The allegations were given life with the publication by a news platform, Sahara Reporters on November 4, 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.

But Osinbajo, in a statement on Friday by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, said there was no truth in these allegations.

The vice president stated that all assets owned by him have been publicly declared.

His words: “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 has vowed to take legal action against the publishers of the allegations.

“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,” Akande said.

Meanwhile, the vice president has stated that he was saddened by the collapse of the building.

He condoled 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,” the statement said.