Synagogue Building Collapse: Court Dismisses Suit To Stop TB Joshua From Testifying

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has declined an oral application by an applicant, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, seeking to stop further sittings of the Coroner’s court, until it hears the case on its merit.

“Although, the applicant wants an order of interim injunction restraining T.B Joshua from appearing before the coroner, I must say that he is not a party to the suit, neither is he held in detention,” said Trial Judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, in his ruling.

A Coroner’s Court had been set up by the Lagos State government on September 26 to unravel the circumstances leading to the collapse of a building at the Synagogues Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) on September 12, where 116 people died. The Coroner, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe had summoned Pastor TB Joshua to testify on the building collapse.

Ogungbeje, a Lagos-based lawyer is seeking an order, restraining further proceedings in the suit, pending the determination of a substantive suit at the Federal High Court, where the Lagos State Government, the Attorney General of the State, Mr Ade Ipaye, and Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe are defendants.

Justice Buba in his ruling however maintained that “The respondents were served with the court processes on Friday, and by the rules, they have five days to respond, but time was abridged and they accepted, and so, let us not loose sight of the issue here.

“If applicant was the party summoned before the coroner, then the issue of a restraining order will arise, but in this situation, how can I restrain the whole world.

“The applicant has not shown that he will suffer any danger if the restraining order is not granted, and so, I will hear this case on its merit on Thursday, Nov. 6, and I will not grant any restraining orders; this is the ruling of this court,” he said.

Reacting, counsel to the applicant, said although he was not opposed to the adjournment, it was important for the court to issue an order, restraining the Coroner from further inquest.

He informed the court that the General Overseer of the Church, Prophet T.B Joshua, had already been summoned to appear before the Coroner on November 5, stressing the importance of stopping them.

“The draconian speed at which the coroner’s court is sitting, simply means that after it summons Prophet T.B Joshua, it would make its findings and submit its report, then this entire suit will be a waste,” the counsel said.

“It is therefore important for my lord to restrain them from further inquest in the suit.”

Buba however reminded the counsel that the inquest was constituted by the Lagos State Government after the agencies of the state government had indicted the Church of erecting additional structures on an already existing building without approval.