Crime News
Scoan Church Collapse Killed 80, Injured 130; Lagos Says TB Joshua Commits Serious Crime
Sept 18, 2014 – Scoan Church Collapse Killed 80, Injures 130; Lagos Says TB Joshua Commits Serious Crime
The Lagos State Government has indicted Prophet Temitope Joshua, General Overseer, Synagogue Church of All Nations, over the collapse of a 6-storey guest house in his church.
Death toll in the tragedy which occurred last Friday has hit 80 as rescue workers intensify efforts to evacuate the remaining victims trapped under the rubble. There is likely no hope of any more survivors.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Lagos State Government insisted that Joshua did not have approval for the building, therefore the addition of more floors to the existing two-storey building was illegal.
The government, however, said investigations were still on as to why the building collapsed.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Olutoyin Ayinde said government would not shut down the church until investigations were concluded.
Ayinde expressed sincere condolences and sympathy with those that lost their loved ones and those that were injured in the unfortunate incident.
He said the Government and indeed the Ministry was particularly saddened that innocent lives were lost.
The Commissioner clarified that no plans were in the offing to take over the collapsed structure site until thorough and detailed investigation as to the cause(s) of the collapse had been concluded.
According to him, government is conducting a preliminary investigation into the cause(s) of the collapse and would leave nothing to chance to unravel what cause the building to collapse.
He added that if there was any violation of relevant planning laws, government would take appropriate action.
To this end, Ayinde said a team of engineers from the Ministry and other state government agencies were taking samples from the foundation and materials from the wreckage of the building for detailed analysis.
He stressed that government does not arbitrarily take over properties when testing to ascertain the structural integrity of any building that collapses.
On the veracity of the “Strange Plane Theory,” alleged to have dangerously flown low over the building 50 minutes before the collapse, he said the Ministry had submitted the video clips, as provided by the Church to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with the coordinate of the collapsed site for investigation and professional comment.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on the Environment, Tobun Abiodun, has expressed belief that some government officials may have allowed themselves to be compromised and influenced to allow the church conctruct the collapsed building illegally.
Ordinarily, officers in-charge of physical planning in the state are supposed to act where buildings become defective or where they do not follow laid-down procedures, he argued.
Tobun, who described the incident as a major disaster and a great loss, however, condoled with the families of the deceased and said the government needed to be more careful and pro-active to prevent a similar incident from happening again.
Quoting a report by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Tobun said that the building ought to have only four floors instead of six, according to the foundation of the house.
“But my concern is that we have town planning officers that should supervise buildings in the state, they are accomplices. There is no way someone would build a six-storey building instead of four and they would say they were not aware. I believe that they compromised standard.
“Until they know that if they compromise in any way they are risking people’s lives, there would be problem. They should be more pro-active in the discharge of their duties,” he said.
But the Chairman of the Physical Planning Committee of the House, Mufutau Egberongbe, while defending the officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, urged Nigerians to adopt voluntary compliance to laws as enforcement of the laws is supposed to be a last resort.
One of the challenges facing the ministry, according to Egberongbe, is the lack of adequate staff.
“How many are the staff of the ministry to go round Lagos when buildings are springing up on a daily basis? Voluntary compliance to laws should be our primary responsibility,” he said.
He said the government officials would have faced heavy criticisms from people if they had decided to implement the law to the letter in relation to the building, adding that it even costs the government money to carry out demolition of structures.
To him, if the church had done what it should do, the incident would have been averted.
[Reported By PM News Lagos]
CHUKWUDI
September 18, 2014 at 2:27 PM
T.B MAY GOD PROTECT AND CONFORT YOU IN THIS DELEGATE TIME, WE STILL LOVE YOU NO MATTER ANY TROUBLE MAY COME ON YOUR WAY.
Uchenna O
September 18, 2014 at 3:08 PM
corruption everywhere, how are we going to move forward as a nation? why is the man defending the officials for not doing their job and said their challenge is lack of adequate staff, what happened to millions of young Nigeria graduates? they don’t have staff to go round Lagos to do the job but they have staff to collect “Land use charge” and other charges, let us treat corruption like Ebola virus so that we can move forward. thank you.
Grace
September 18, 2014 at 4:26 PM
May the almighty God protect TB Joshua and the entire SCOAN. May the families of those who lost loved ones bear these losts. We are all praying for you all
Can the government please also investigate that aircraft. Who owns it? where did it come from. Where was it going to? It can come from another Boko Harram nation so that it can not be traced.
Prophet Tb Joshua is a true man of God. Also he is a very kind man. Through his God many have been being saved. Those of you throwing insults please stop and pray for him and the dead ones families.He is also feeling the pain like us because through him many foreigners have come to know Nigeria. Upon all bad reputation Nigeria is known for all over the world today. Note is very difficult for tourist to live and tour in Nigeria because of our bad ways , but yet they try to visit Nigeria through his church. Many staff have gained jobs through his church.
Look at the 3 year old child with large breast. If not this incidence and she is taken there those breast will just disappear and the child will gain her freedom. Is sad these people lost their lives in his collapse hostel caused by this aircraft. Better to die seeking Gods favour than on arm robber trip. May all their sou rest
in peace.
Regina
September 18, 2014 at 4:51 PM
I feel like crying seeing the man of God walking in the midst of these government officials. O God prove yourself, save and comfort him in this time of trials. His enemies are saying all sort of things to discredit him but God,I know you are there and watching him. You be the Judge. It is well.
Preye nelson
September 18, 2014 at 5:06 PM
i know what happened is the work of the enemies.I will always stand by u prophet t.b joshua
rosy
September 18, 2014 at 6:16 PM
short of words
Jilo
September 18, 2014 at 6:50 PM
In Nigeria, we don’t take responsibility for our actions. Until we learn how to do that, we will continue to rotate in the circle of ignorance . What this man TB Joshua should have done is to come out publicly, apologize to the family of victims and explain in a sober way why this is not intentional. This man should stop blaming this on enemy Air craft or UFO (Unidentified Flying Objects). The deed has been done and this is a pay back time. Let this man apologize publicly and pay the family of the victim compensation from the money he has been making. In a Country of law, this guy should be behind bar by now. A man of God who tried to short cut, instead of doing it the right way by hiring a competent engineer but instead trying to save some money. I don’t have respect for that type of person. Right now he needs to sell some of his asset, some money he has been saving for himself, even his Air craft all these proceeds should go to the family of the victims and that will be the beginning of the end of his fake ministry.
Grace
September 18, 2014 at 10:32 PM
Jilo he has apologies. Go to his face book site now on emmanuel tv and read his apologies now before tomorrow because it wi not be there anymore. Note he coudnt apologies straight away. He could not believe this actually happened as per my suggestion.
His ministry is not fake. He is a true prophet and has helped many Nigerians get jobs and make tourist to visit Nigeria. Our Nigerians have bad attitude of harrasment scaring tourist away but prophet Tb Joshua make them visit Nigeria. God will repay the dead family. Dont worry. If you had met him in person you will not say all these. No Nigeria can do what he is doing that is why enemies are eyeing him. Is a set up to scare us away from his ministry. I and my family will never stop going there.Better to die in house of God than arm robbery operation. those who insult him suffer in silence and are too proud to get their freedom.
He built a hotel there because it is not safe to leave anywhere in Nigeria. A country where you seep in your own house with fear.
So pray for him and the dead instead of hating him. God have respect for him.
Goody
September 18, 2014 at 7:07 PM
I PRAY FOR MY BIG DADDY, GOD WILL SEE YOU THROUGH IN ALL YOUR TRIERS.PLEASE NIGERIANS LET’S PRAY FOR THIS GREAT MAN WHO GOD HAS BEEN USING TO BLESS THE ENTIRE WORLD. GOD WILL NOT BUT HIM TO SHAME.
GRACE
September 18, 2014 at 7:58 PM
May God Almighty protect and guide Prophet T. B. Joshua and all the members of Synagogue Church of All Nations. May God touch each family for the great lost.
victor walker
September 18, 2014 at 8:58 PM
My Prophet (T.B JOSHUA) G.O.D is strongly behind You and Your People we are praying for You because the devil have lost the battle And the victory is Ours Holy Spirit strengthens U.Emmanuel
Lepa
September 18, 2014 at 9:17 PM
Hunnnnnnn U dis person above dat keep writing comment to support TB Joshua as diff pple GOD will judge U. Is a pity cos of miracles many Africsn kip running after devil in d name of GOD wtout knowing whom d person is, 2u many wolves in sheep garment.Has anybody try to find out who is TB Joshua, like pst Ashimolowo said on a TV interview couple of years back in Nigeria Who is TB Joshua, What church was he b4 and at what point did he gave his life to Christ b4 turning to a pastor. Dis is d same man known to my senior cousin who started with wearing of white robes, use pigeon and corn to do spiritual work for pple, living in an uncompleted decking building around Egbe bus stop some years back. I think dis is d time for professional journalist to investigate deeply and give d public his profile.
Beauty
September 19, 2014 at 6:21 AM
U re right
natasha
September 18, 2014 at 10:01 PM
Man of God…our God still sits on the throne,he who lifted you this high,will take you higher!!
Samson Oladipupo
September 19, 2014 at 1:55 AM
Cause of collapse of that building is nothing than the illegality of the structure. How do we think a two stories building raise to six will not collapse? Let us leave religion out of this. My argument is not either T.B Joshua is a man of God or not. God knows his own men. This issue most be treated as it should be. There is town planning authority in Lagos State. If the man is guilty of illegal structure, he should be death with according to law. Aircraft roaming on air space of the building? Is that the only building in that community? Why did other building not collapse? Aircraft needs more than just one house roof top to roam arround.
Nkemdilim
September 19, 2014 at 9:31 AM
@ Mr. Lepa, Please don’t say what u don’t know. You are not God to Judge. Even if he was using pigeon and corn to perform miracles that does not stop him from being called by God. You can even use sand and water to heal as far as you call it the blood of Jesus. Please U enemies of God should leave this man alone or rather pray for him. This is the work of the devil and I know that the Lord he serve will see him through all these. My Daddy T.B. just be strong, we are praying for you. The Lord will fight for you. For those who lost their lives May your souls rest in perfect peace. Amen.
Prince Solaige
September 19, 2014 at 9:33 AM
****whatever U ar called you must be an everlasting f**l how dare U post dat rubbish am not one of his followers but i strongly believe in his ministry and am sure you are not a Nigerian, if other so called great men of God can emulate 1/10th of what this great man is doing Nigeria would have be a more comfortable place to live i can even remember those days before my departure from this nation watching SCOAN Tv, not only feeding spiritually a father to many fatherless, a voice to many voiceless, in my own schl (AAUA) His ministry sponsored more than hundred students (physically challenged inclusive) he extend his hand of fellowship within and beyond Africa, a Nation problem is a collective problem to him,take a look at a recent fight against EBOLA in Africa and take a look at his contribution search through SCOAN materials and see more about his Ministry it pined me glacing 2ru ur comment and i can’t withstand it instead of standing by him in this trial time you are posting rubbish ‘if you don’t understand a particular issue its better to remain silient on it instead of saying negatives’ most especially on a man of God.
Mr. Ralph
September 19, 2014 at 11:17 AM
Man of God… I know this is a trying time for you and the Church of God.We are praying. God will not leave u even in this difficult moments….he will surely see u true in Jesus Name.May the souls of all who died rest in the bossum of the lord.Ur enemies will surely lose in Jesus Name.U ar indeed a good Man who have helped the poor,sponsored People,brought peace in many troubled homes all over the world and so many things God has done Tru U.U will smile again.
Tony2
September 19, 2014 at 11:44 AM
Nigerians wake up! Pastor T B Joshua is a cr****nal who should be locked up! He flouted planning laws to erect further floors on top of an already unstable building, is this **** you call a man of god ? The blood of all the people who died are on his hands. This is what you get when you go to churches who are only interested in your money!And for his mysterious aircraft I’ll explain it to you – Ikotun Egbe, SCOAN HQ, is underneath the flight path of airplanes landing at MM airport!Are people so gullible and stupid they believe his lies about boko haram or mystery aircraft involvement? If this was in Europe he’d be in prison by now.Goodluck to all of you who believe in false pastors/prophets.
Debby
September 19, 2014 at 12:10 PM
y did he nt c d vision?
Prophet Gbenga Rotimi"KINI IWO NFE"
September 19, 2014 at 12:50 PM
The word of GOD say’s” For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.”
have been praying on this issue from day one to know the fact, the Lord is still on his work.
*08038433483#
Chic
September 19, 2014 at 2:41 PM
Yes Mr. Sampson you are right the truth of the matter is that the building is restructured from 4 stoery to 6 storey building. The architecture who restructured that house should be sued to court because there is no way you expect 4 storey building converted to 6 story building not to fall. Also people always believe in human being called pastors for everything even ordinary headache they run to a pastor and most of them trust so much on this pastors than God Almighty. It is good to go to church/pastor for prayers but it is becoming more interesting this days how people run to so called pastors for even things they can sit in their house and resolve.Anyways, may the soul of those died in building rest in peace.
Grace
September 19, 2014 at 10:16 PM
Chic if you have seen wahala in your life you will run to any man of God or babalawu or cele or cherubin or occult to seek for solution. Maybe your parents have already produce milk and honey all for you and you are just drinking it now.
We run to our great prophet TB Joshua because he is a great man of God to resolve our problems. He is real. He is kind, humble best man of God who love the whole world. He has done a lot for us all. For the past 25 years after going to his church, I am very happy. Good life good, I mean good life, handsome lovely husband lovely children with foreign passports and free tickets to travel all over the world. My husband loves me every day for the past 18 years we had married. But before I had nothing the poor the suffering the generational curses disappointment the failure and all sorts was too much to handle. Go watch his you tube and see the great work he does to all. That is why enemies are on him sending silent aircraft to destroy his church.
I also see vision if he was a fake man of God Jesus would have warned me but yet Jesus appeared to me and direct him on how to deliver my family with problems and many others.
Tony2 you are not to judge let our god judge. Thanks. And to you Mr Lepa what charity work has Pastor Ashimolowo done to us Nigerians and the people of the world. List them down for us. And to your senior uncle who describe great man of God as using white rob pigeon and corn. How did he know did he not also use his own. If he uses it and now helping to deliver the whole world in the name of Jesus is there anything wrong? There are some good real white rob churches like the one i attended in those days before discovering our great man of God.
Finally i will say May the soul of all those who died rest in perfect peace and may their families bear this lost as our prayers are with them. Pray for them and stop hating our man of God who has changed Nigeria by bring tourist to the nation. Nigeria is a beautiful nation and needs tourist. We need to encourage them.
@Temple,
September 20, 2014 at 5:52 AM
Why is pastor chris oyakilome marital tragedy and prophet TB Joshua building collapse happening at the same time? we need to ask more questions, listen carefully, GOD is about to say something.
Elizabeth wanjiku
September 20, 2014 at 1:24 PM
Our GOD still sits on the throne ,he who lifted u high,will take u higher..
@okuttahvickie.
September 20, 2014 at 9:55 PM
oooh go plz save diz man of god 4rm d hands of d wicked once…he iz my best man of god eva,i enjoy iz programme 2 much..y iz piple talkin bad abt him so quick na wa 4 naija ooo may god save us ooo…u dnt expect him 2 be perf
ect lk god
…..
Ebere simon
September 21, 2014 at 8:41 PM
Big and great things always come with the price tag attached to it. Prophet t.b remember this a tryin time and also for paying priced so continue eanestly and the God of all grace who will not allows you beyond your ability will console you and families of the deceased.