By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has denied any link to the 21-storey building which collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos State, on Monday, November 1, 2021.
The unfortunate incident claimed at least 36 lives, including that of the project developer, Femi Osibona, with about nine others hospitalised.
A statement issued on Friday, November 5, 2021 by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo neither owns the property, nor the land on which it was constructed.
Akande said the Vice President was saddened by the “horrible tragedy” of the building collapse and condoles with the families and relatives of all those who have died, were injured or affected in the collapse.
On the ownership allegation, he said: “The attention of the Vice President has been drawn to an obviously sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building published by Sahara Reporters on November 4th, 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.
“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 restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.
“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.”
The statement went further to accuse Sahara Reporters, which published the report of the ownership of the property bu Osinbajo, of been “undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct.”
It added: “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.”