Ikoyi building collapse: Osinbajo finally speaks up, condoles with affected families

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has expressed sadness over the events that occurred in Lagos on Monday, 1st of November 2021, where a high-rise building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, collapsed.

He condoles with the families and relatives of all those who have died, were injured or affected in the collapse. Prof. Osinbajo considers this painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande on Friday, Osinbajo said his attention was also drawn to a sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building published by Sahara Reporters on November 4th, 2021.

“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.

READ ALSO: Why Osinbajo must speak up over alleged ownership of Ikoyi collapsed building – Timi Frank

“At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, or enter into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade-Ojo or anyone for that matter.

Laolu Akande in the statement said 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.

“Sahara Reporters were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct. Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism, the publication was not signed by anyone.