Building Collapse: Court Grants Synagogue’s Engineers N20m Bail

Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court yesterday granted a N10M bail to the two engineers who supervised the construction of the collapsed six-storey guest house owned by the

Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). Justice Lawal-Akapo, ruling on the bail applications initiated by the contractors through their lawyers, granted them bail in the sum of N10 million with
two sureties in like sum. However, Justice Lawal-Akapo, said that one of the sureties must be a civil servant at grade level 14 in the Lagos State civil service. In addition, the trial judge told the court that the second surety must provide evidence of tax payment for three years and must also swear to an affidavit of means. He also ordered the contractors to submit their travel documents to the Chief Registrar of the Lagos High Court. According to the judge, the addresses of the sureties must be duly verified by the Lagos State Head of Service (HoS). Justice Lawal-Akapo before the bail was granted to the duo , made a declaration that he was not unmindful of the presumption on innocence of the defendants until proven otherwise. He also explained that bail is not to be used to punish an accused person, but to make an accused face his trial. The judge adjourned further hearing in the matter till May 19, 2016 for continuation of trial.