The Lagos State Government has ordered the arrest of the owner of the collapsed 21-storey building in the Ikoyi area which resulted into deaths of at least four people yesterday.
He was arrested for building a 21-storey structure after being given the approval to construct 15 floors.
The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, revealed this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
21-Storey Building Collapses In Ikoyi, Lagos pic.twitter.com/zBmKHNgorr
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) November 2, 2021
The structure, 360 Degrees, which is located at 20, Gerrard Road, caved in at about 2.45pm on Monday.
Oki announced that the owner would be prosecuted for his action that had cost human lives.
“The materials he used for the reinforcement are so terrible. He got approval for 15 floors but built 21. He has been arrested,” he said.
The official added that so far, four people had been rescued alive and three bodies recovered. He noted that rescue efforts were continuing.
Dozens of people were at the site when the incident occurred.
The construction was to end in 2022.
SaharaReporters had on Monday reported that an engineering firm, Prowess Engineering Limited had since February 2020 withdrawn its services from the construction of the building.
Documents obtained by SaharaReporters on Monday had showed that the firm withdrew its services since early 2020 as stated in a letter in which the company expressed concerns over the way the project was being handled.
The letter is dated February 20, 2020, and titled: Re: Proposed Gerrard Terraces For Fourscore Limited.
Addressed to Mr Femi Osibona of Fourscore Heights Limited, 44BCD Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, the letter, signed by the Managing Director of Prowess Engineering Limited, Muritala Olawale, formally stated that the firm had withdrawn its services from the project and would not be held liable for any errors in the construction.
