Encomium
Contrary to expectations, Prophet T.B. Joshua was conspicuously absent as a witness at the sixth sitting of Coroner’s Inquest on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 into the collapsed building at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos, Nigeria.
After a two hour delay in proceedings, the General Manager and CEO of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu was the first witness to testify at the inquest. Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu alleged that his team was impeded from the rescue site by overzealous onlookers, adding that some even turned aggressive.
However, some of the submissions he made in his written deposition to the court were contradicted in his oral account during cross-examination by counsel to The SCOAN, Olalekan Ojo. Oke-Osanyintolu had submitted in his written deposition that members of the church frustrated his agency’s efforts in carrying out an effective rescue operation but later told the coroner in his oral account that he worked harmoniously with members of the church in ensuring a hitch-free operation and he admitted he held a press conference on the first day where he claimed he had a smooth relationship with the church aides.
From another angle, the counsel to the church had pointed out the visibly conflicting accounts of the number of dead bodies reportedly evacuated by LASEMA. The LASEMA boss’ submission that he evacuated a total of 86 dead bodies contradicted the account of the Lagos State pathologist, Professor Obafunwa, who submitted earlier that the death toll reached 116. He also shot himself down when he claimed the collapsed building was six floors but submitted in his written deposition that the structure was five floors.
Mr. Oke-Osanyintolu further submitted that the Red Cross only arrived on the second day of the incident whereas a representative of the latter, Mr. Oladimeji Ige had told the coroner that he and his team arrived on the scene of the incident on the very day it happened. This continued trend of contradictions drew the outburst of journalists and other interested parties within the court room.
A mild drama ensued in the court when the presiding magistrate admitted that Prophet T.B. Joshua was not duly served by the court to appear before it.
Explaining Joshua’s absence, his counsel, Olalekan Ojo, pointed out that his client was yet to be served with a witness summons.
During the continuation of the hearing Ojo said he decided to volunteer the information to the court to prevent a public misconception that Joshua dishonoured the court by not appearing after he had been served.
“On Friday, when he was to be served, he was not available. The prophet, being the chief mourner, was contacting the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.
“I learnt that the balliff merely gave the summons to an evangelist or one of the workers. I advised that whoever was given the summons to should sign to acknowledge its receipt.”
Ojo explained that since that was not done, it implied that T.B. Joshua was not served the summons.
Responding to Ojo, the coroner said he had no reason not to believe the information being given by the counsel.
“As the chief mourner, I will not want to inflict more pain on him, but he should help himself,” he said.
The revelation came after the counsel to the church, Olalekan Ojo, divulged that Joshua, being the chief mourner, should not be expected to appear in court. Moreover, he stated that the prophet was not officially invited by the coroner. He revealed that the Court Sheriff only came and dropped a letter of invitation to an unidentified officer in the church, a statement which was corroborated by the court.
According to the counsel, the rule of the coroner is that the witness be served personally. The magistrate said he expected the man of God to have read the invitation on the pages of newspapers, a submission which the counsel to the church laughed off as an impermissible court action. According to Mr. Ojo, “…the prophet has nothing to hide because he is on the path of truth. However, things should be done properly. Until that is done we can’t discuss whether he is eligible to come or not.”
The SCOAN counsel also said the contractor that handled the construction of the collapsed building was not served because the court did not have his contact.
On getting the contact details of the contractor, the coroner requested Ojo to help get the necessary information. The lawyer obliged but pleaded for time.
Furthermore, the court admitted the manifest has been submitted but not yet public property. The court proceedings will continue on Wednesday, November 19, 2014.
