Osinbajo debunks rumors of owning collapsed Ikoyi building

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has debunked online reports on Thursday, linking him as the land owner of the collapsed Ikoyi building.

In a statement on Friday, Osinbajo’s aide, Laolu Akande, refuted reports that his boss intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the property at a  point.

Osinbajo said the report is false and sponsored while promising to take legal steps.

On Monday, a 21-storey building under construction collapsed on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State, leaving at least 40 people dead and many injured.

The report, which was published by an online medium also claimed that the said land was sold to Osinbajo by Chief Michael Ade-Ojo Founder of Elizade Motors. However, Ade-Ojo has denied ever owning or selling the land to the vice president.

The vice president was quoted to have expressed sadness about the event while claiming that reports of the his ownership of the land was sponsored,

Osinbajo was said to have condoled families and relatives of those who died, injured or affected in the collapse.

The statement read, “Prof. Osinbajo considers this painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.

“Also, the attention of the Vice President has been drawn to an obviously sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building.

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“Let it be made absolutely 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 utilise 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.

“The Vice President has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.”