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SCOAN: There was cause for concern when I received radio message – witness tells Court
A Lagos High Court, Igbosere on Thursday heard that there was cause for concern (panic), when a witness, Alaba Yahaya Haruna, received a radio message that an aircraft was flying on low altitude, at Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), before the building collapsed. The witness, who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police, disclosed this in his testimony yesterday at the ongoing trial of the Registered Trustees of SCOAN and four others, over the collapsed building on September 12, 2014, that killed 116 people.
Also sued are two engineers: Messrs Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, and their companies, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company and Jandy Trust Limited. Aside SCOAN’s one-count charge, the other defendants are facing 110 counts of involuntary manslaughter. SCOAN was charged on a one-count charge of building without approval brought against it by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), following the dismissal of its no-case submission on March 8, 2016. Haruna who was being cross examined by Lagos State counsel, Dr Babajide Martins, before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo said when he got the radio message, it showed that it caused concern. He told the court that he was in his office when he got the message from his patrol team who observed an aircraft flying low over a Synagogue Church Earlier the witness in his testimony had told the Court that there was no panic when he received the radio message, that a plane was flying low.
He said, ” I was in my office when I got the message, before I got to the scene, they said the building had collapsed. There was no report of panic that plane was flying low. ” Haruna further told court that the Inspector General of Police set up panel to look into the incident. ” Police at SCID Panti also carried out investigation in this matter. We had commenced preliminary investigation before Panti carried out their own investigation. I don’t know if the police has concluded their investigation on the collapsed building.”
At the last adjourned date , Haruna, Area Commander of the Eastern Ports Command, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, told court that he was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Ikotun Egbe Police Station, Lagos, at the time the building collapsed. Led in examination-in-chief by SCOAN Trustees counsel, Mr Oluseye Diyan, the witness said, “On that fateful day on September 12, 2014 at about 12:30 hours, there was a radio communication from the police control room at Ikeja that they were receiving calls from the public of an aircraft flying at low altitude over the church. I was directed by the Area Command to confirm the incident and monitor the aircraft’s activities. “I wanted to go out and direct my men to watch out for the aircraft when I received another report of an airplane flying at a very low altitude. I went outside but I couldn’t see it, by that time it had gone. I received a call later from Inspector Lucky Ugbaja, stationed at the church, that one of the church’s buildings had collapsed.” According to him, the radio room had earlier radioed the Police Airport Command to confirm whether it was carrying out any activity in the SCOAN vicinity. Haruna said when he arrived at the church’s premises there was a large crowd and the few policemen there were trying to manage the situation.
More onlookers kept trooping in and the crowd spilled to the roads outside the church, causing serious traffic gridlock. “We were overwhelmed,” Haruna told the judge, adding that he called for more policemen, which was provided. He said his men cordoned off the scene in an attempt to restrict entrance to only those who could assist the church members and other worshippers in the rescue operation. According to him, the floors of the collapsed building were lying one on the other “and the church members and others at the scene were engaged in rescue operations. “Those I met there were SCOAN worshippers, they were bringing out so many people from under the rubble. Most of the victims were alive. Some were injured, some were not. “Later the Red Cross, Life Savers, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) arrived and joined us in the rescue.”
The witness stated that the LASEMA General Manager complained of difficulty in gaining access to the scene of the collapse because of the crowd and that the journalists in his entourage were denied access, following which he apologised and ordered his men to let the journalists in. He said the rescue mission lasted about seven days. Meanwhile Justice Lawal-Akapo, has adjourned the matter till October 4, for continuation of trial.
On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the NINO Empowerment Foundation, led by philanthropist and businessman Hon. (Dr.) Azeez Oladapo Yusuf, organized a highly impactful Back-to-School programme for primary schools in Orile Agege. The event, held at Oyewole Primary School, saw the distribution of essential school supplies, including books and school bags, to students for the new 2023/2024 academic session.
The programme aimed to support the educational needs of young learners and ensure they are well-prepared for the school year. Hon. (Dr.) Azeez Oladapo Yusuf, known for his dedication to community development, emphasized the importance of education in his address, encouraging students to strive for excellence.
Several primary schools students benefited during the programme, some of the schools are: Ifelodun Primary School, Ladoje Primary School, Moses Orimolade Primary School, Oke Koto Primary School, Orile Agege Primary School, Saka Tinubu Primary School, Okusanya Primary School, State Primary School, Unity Primary School, Yewa Primary School, Zion Primary School, St. Peter’s Primary School, Ore Ofe Primary School, and C & S Shiloh Primary School, among others.
The initiative was met with enthusiasm from both students and educators, who expressed their gratitude for the support provided by the NINO Empowerment Foundation. The event not only equipped the students with necessary learning materials but also inspired them to pursue their academic goals with renewed vigor.
Hon. (Dr.) Azeez Oladapo Yusuf’s commitment to education and community upliftment continues to make a significant impact in Agege and beyond, setting a commendable example for others to follow.
Guest during the event are Abdulfatai Olagoke Ajibola special Adviser on political matters to Lagos – State house of Assembly speaker Rt. (Hon) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Mrs Sherifat Abiodun Adedoyin, a permanent board member at Lagos SUBEB among others.
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From Disaster to Divine Intervention: Dr. Paul Enenche’s Hope-Filled Journey to Maiduguri
Written by Miracle
Sahar Weekly Reports That Earlier today, Dr. Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, embarked on a goodwill mission to Maiduguri following the devastating floods that ravaged the region over the past six days. His visit was more than just delivering essential supplies—it was about bringing compassion, solidarity, and the Word of Life to a community in need, offering prayers for divine restoration and help from above to prevent future calamities.
Upon landing in Maiduguri, Dr. Enenche and his team were warmly received by the Deputy Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Hon. Umar Usman Kadafur. The heartfelt welcome set the tone for a day dedicated to supporting the people of Maiduguri through both spiritual and material assistance, highlighting the unity between spiritual and governmental efforts in the face of adversity.
The first significant stop of the day was at the Government House, where Dr. Enenche met with the Executive Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, accompanied by Deputy Governor Kadafur and the Governor’s Special Advisor on Protocol. During the meeting, Dr. Enenche shared his deep concerns for those affected by the flood and extended prayers for the leadership of Borno State as well as the flood victims. His message centered on hope, divine help, and a swift recovery, underscoring that the state is not facing these challenges alone.
Following this, Dr. Enenche visited the Dunamis Church in Maiduguri, where he delivered a message of resilience to the congregation, urging them to stand firm in their faith despite the trials they faced. His presence served as a spiritual lifeline, offering strength to the church members during this difficult time.
The day’s final visit was to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, where Dr. Enenche personally connected with those who had been displaced from their homes by the floods. His words of comfort and encouragement resonated deeply with the flood victims, providing both material support and spiritual reinforcement. This visit symbolized his genuine concern for the well-being of those most affected by the disaster, offering a reminder of the power of faith, compassion, and solidarity.
In conclusion, Dr. Paul Enenche’s visit was not only a gesture of goodwill but a beacon of hope for the people of Maiduguri. His prayers for restoration and protection from future disasters left a lasting impact on the hearts of those he met, reminding them that help is never far away, and that in times of great distress, divine assistance will always be there.
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