Prophet asks coroner to stay proceedings on building collapse inquest

Prophet Temitope Joshua has asked the coroner investigating the collapse of a six-story building at his Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) to stay further proceedings on the inquest.

In an application before the Lagos State Coroner, presided by Chief Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, T.B Joshua’s counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, pressed the court to halt further proceedings which include inviting the prophet to appear to give evidence before the inquest.

Mr. Olalekan Ojo said the halting of the proceedings is pending the determination of the suit filed against Komolafe before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, where the prophet has asked for the higher court to judicially review of the coroner’s proceedings.

In the suit filed by T.B Joshua’s counsel, the prophet is pleading Justice Okunnu of the Lagos High Court for order of prohibition against the Coroner’s Court of Lagos State and the presiding Magistrate Komolafe from exceeding their jurisdiction in the conduct of the coroner’s inquest into the death of unidentified persons in the collapsed building within the premises of SCOAN on Friday, September 12, 2014.

However, at the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, December 3, Ojo told the court that he had only served the application on the Lagos State Government, adding that it was not ripe for hearing since other parties had not been served.

Due to T.B Joshua’s application to stall proceedings, The Lagos State Coroner, presided by Chief Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe could not take testimonies of all witnesses that had been invited to appear before the court.

The counsel representing the Lagos State Government, Mr. Femi Adamson, confirmed that they have been served but had replied. The coroner has agreed to properly dispense with the application first before continuing with taking evidence from other witnesses.

The coroner also revealed that the church has submitted the identity of contractor that handled the building of the collapsed building. The case has been adjourned till Friday, December 5 for further hearing.