Synagogue building collapse T.B. Joshua files appeal to challenge judgement on Coroner’s summon

Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), T.B. Joshua has told a Lagos coroner’s court that he had filed a motion to stay away from a summon compelling him to testify before an inquest.


         A Lagos Coroner court led by Chief Magistrate, Oyetade Komolafe, was set up to investigate the collapse of a six-storey uncompleted guest house within the premises of SCOAN, which killed over a 100 people.

Prophet Joshua made this known through his counsel, Seun Abimbola, and had  filed a notice of appeal to challenge the judgement of Lateefa Okunnu of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja.

        Few weeks ago, the judge presiding over the case, Justice Lateefa Okunnu, had dismissed an application instituted by the cleric and his church, urging the court to stop the ongoing coroner’s inquest and barred the court from inviting him to testify.

The judge had held the suit was premature and lacks merit, while also insisting that coroner, Chief Magistrate, Oyetade Komolafe has the powers to take evidence from any witness he deemed relevant to reaching his conclusions.

At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday Magistrate Komolafe had told Joshua’s counsel, Abimbola to pick a date for his client to appear before him following the decision of the higher court.

But the lawyer said his client has filed a stay of execution of the judgement and also a notice of appeal and that he cannot pick a date until these applications were determined.

Following the development, the coroner said he will react to the issue after he was served with copies of the application.

         Meanwhile, Nosa Osazuwa a freelance reporter, said security personnel attached to the coroner’s court had a difficult time controlling crowd at the court as the courtroom was filled to capacity with many persons hanging around outside.

Reports say the Chief Magistrate, Oyetade Komolafe adjourned proceeding to Friday, March 13, 2015.