The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the Managing Director of Lekki Gardens, Mr. Richard Nyong, for the collapse of a five-storeyed building under construction on Kushenla Road, Ikate Elegushi, Lagos State, which killed no fewer than 35 persons.
Nyong, it was gathered, reported himself to the office of the Commissioner of Police in company of his lawyer, Mr. Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and was detained after interrogation on Thursday, March 10, 2016.
A day earlier, the police had also arrested one of the contractors handling the project, Odofin Taiwo.
The building had crumbled around 3am on Tuesday with several workers trapped in the rubble.
It was reported that the state government had sealed the building, which was originally designed to be a three-storeyed structure.
“In a brazen act of defiance and impunity, the owners of the building, Messrs Lekki Worldwide Estate Limited, the promoters of Lekki Gardens, criminally unsealed the property and continued building beyond the approved floors until the unfortunate incident of Tuesday which has led to loss of lives,” a statement by the commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde had read.
The Lagos State Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest and said that investigations were still on-going.
She said, “The MD, Lekki Gardens, Mr. Richard Nyong, has been arrested. He is in custody and will soon be charged to court.”
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had ordered all Directors of Lekki Worldwide Estate Limited to submit themselves to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, within 24 hours or face arrest.
The number of deaths rose to 34 late Wednesday as rescue operation ended. Thirteen people were rescued alive.
Hattip: The Scoop, Daily Post
