Lagos govt arraigns owner of collapsed building in Eti-Osa

The owner of a three-story building that collapsed on Adesegun Okunuga Street in Ikate-Elegushi, Eti-Osa, has been charged by the Lagos State Government.

Kenneth Okenini, the building's owner, was charged with a number of charges in the Special charges Court in Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos, including disobeying a legal order from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).

Adetayo Akitoye-Asagba, Assistant Director, Public Affairs, LASBCA, said in a statement that the arraignment came after the state government had previously warned property owners and developers who were breaking its construction standards.

Okenini was said to have broken the terms of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law by hiring unqualified workers for construction and disobeying all orders to stop breaking the law.

“It is suspected that the three-floor structure, which collapsed on the 13th May, 2023, resulted from the refusal of Mr. Okenini to obey the Stop Work Order earlier issued by LASBCA on 8th May, 2023, when the property was also sealed.

“The government seal was also broken, and construction work continued in defiance of the law. The offences are punishable under Section 122 (a) and (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 as well as Section 75(2) of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019 (as amended),” the statement said.

According to the government, investigations suggested that the property owner failed to insure the building, contrary to Section 48 of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development (Amendment) Law, 2019, and punishable under Section 75(2) of same law.

“The Lagos State Building Control Agency will continue to identify and prosecute property owners and developers who confront the government and its officials to serve as a deterrent to others,” the statement said.