TB Joshua Asks Coroner To Suspend Sitting Pending Determination Of His Suit

TB Joshua Asks Coroner To Suspend Sitting Pending Determination Of His Suit

The founder of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Joshua on Wednesday asked the Coroner conducting an inquest into the collapsed of a building belonging to his church to suspend its proceedings pending the determination of a suit he filed challenging the inquest.

Joshua had through his counsel, Olalekan Ojo filed a prohibition suit before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja urging her to suspend further actions on his invitation to appear before the inquest to testify.

He is also seeking an order of injunction to restrain the coroner as presently constituted from further conducting any inquest into the collapsed building, as Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, has demonstrated personal interest in the subject matter and his neutrality clearly compromised.

Joshua is further praying the court for an order of injunction restraining coroner from taking and continuing to take evidence/proceedings on the issue of approval and construction of the collapsed building, which issues are clearly outside the scope of a coroner's inquest."

Joined as respondents to the suit is the Coroner's Court of Lagos State, and Magistrate Komolafe.

The incident, which occured on September 12, 2014 at the premises of the church in the Ikotun area of Lagos, led to the sudden death of over 116 people, mostly foreigners.

At the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, Ojo informed the court that he had served a copy of the application on the Lagos State Government, but it is not ripe for hearing since other parties have not been served.

In his response, counsel to the Lagos State Government, Femi Adamson confirmed that they had been served but had not filed their reply.

Based on the development, Magistrate Komolafe adjourned proceedings, stating that it was proper to dispense with the application first before continuing with taking evidence from other witnesses.

The coroner apologised to the witnesses who were already in court that the inquest had to adjourn to enable the lawyers do their jobs.

He therefore directed Ojo to serve the application on other relevant parties to enable them file their responses.

Magistrate Komolafe also disclosed that the church had submitted the name and address of the contractor which handled the collapsed building, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company, to the inquest.

The coroner therefore adjourned further hearing till December 5.