VP Osinbajo has said he would sue online medium linking him to collapsed Ikoyi Building.
Newsonline reports that Nigeria’s Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on Friday afternoon denied ownership of the collapsed 21 story building in Ikoyi, Lagos State, describing his alleged link to the property as sheer wickedness.
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VP Osinbajo also said that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the collapsed building or development.
This is as the Vice President has expressed sadness over the unfortunate collapse of the high-rise building under construction on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi.
Osinbajo in a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande in Abuja on Friday, condoled with the families and relatives of all those who have died, those injured or affected in the collapse.
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He said he considered the painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.
The Vice President frowned at the publication by a well-known online media outfit that had linked him to the collapsed building.
The online media outfit had in its publication claimed that the Vice President owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.
It also alleged that Prof. Osinbajo bought the said land from Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and
Besides, the publication said that the Vice President, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property.
However, the statement by his media aide said, “Let it be made clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.
“He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.
“At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade-Ojo or anyone for that matter.
“All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.
“Also, the Vice President has never spoken to the Governor of Lagos State or any other official of the State Government regarding the unsealing of the said building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, which subsequently collapsed.
“He has, indeed, never acted to influence any other regulatory action on the collapsed building, or any other building for that matter, in Lagos State.
“The Vice President restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.
“The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilize a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.”
He further said that the online medium was “undoubtedly well rewarded for the criminal and inhumane conduct. Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism, the publication was not signed by anyone.
“The Vice President has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.”
