Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has denied online media reports linking him to the collapsed high-rise building on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi which has left over 40 people dead and many others Injured.
Online media platform, Sahara reporters had on Thursday reported that the Vice President owns the land upon which the collapsed building is sited in Ikoyi.
Also Read: Ikoyi Building Collapse:10 Bodies, 9 injured victims so far evacuated
The report also stated that the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; and that the Vice President at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property.
But Osinbajo in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande on Friday said he does not own and has never owned the said land.
Osinbajo explained that he has also never been involved in any shape or form in the development of the property or any other land since he became Vice President.
He added that at no time whatsoever did he buy the property 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.
The Vice President condoled with the families and relatives of all those who died or were injured in the collapse and considered the painful loss of lives a horrible tragedy.
The statement added that all property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.
It also noted that 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 and 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 restated categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.
He said 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 VP noted that Sahara Reporters were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct describing the publication as a Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism which he said was not signed by anyone.
The Vice President said he has referred the disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.
Reporter: Yemi Adebayo Editor: Omor Bazuaye
