Ikoyi Building: I’m Not The Owner Of The Land – Osinbajo
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has denied claims that he owns the land on which the Ikoyi.
Osinbajo, who expressed condolences to the families and relatives of all those killed and injured or affected by the collapsed building under construction on Gerrard Road in Ikoyi, described the incident as a terrible tragedy.
Responding to allegations that the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors, and reports that he recently intervened with Lagos State regulatory authorities to have the property unsealed.
Since becoming Vice President, Osinbajo has maintained that he has not been involved in the development of any land.
“At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade Ojo, or enter into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade. Ojo or anyone for that matter,” said Osinbajo’s Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity.
“All of the Vice President’s property and assets have been publicly declared.”
“In addition, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government about the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which later collapsed.” He has never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building in Lagos State for that matter.”
Osinbajo went on to say that he has no interest in the land, building, or development, and has never had any.
“The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to exploit a tragedy in which so many people have died for political gain, even as rescue efforts continue, and in wanton disregard for the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies,” the statement reads in part.
The Vice President went on to say that he had referred the ‘disgraceful’ publication to his lawyers for immediate legal action.