VP Yemi Osinbajo Reacts To Report Linking Him To Collapsed Ikoyi Building

Vice President, Mr Yemi Osinbajo, has denied any link to the collapsed building at Ikoyi Lagos State, saying he neither owned the land nor bought any from the owner, Mr Michael Ade-Ojo.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, the VP expressed sadness over the event even as he rejected in its entirety the “fabrication” that he has a link to the collapsed house.

Mr Osinbajo, who condoled with the families and relatives of all those who have died, injured or affected in the collapsed building, said his attention was drawn to “an obviously sponsored falsehood regarding the recently collapsed building.”

Quoting the report, Mr Osinbajo said the publication reported that the “VP owns the land upon which the collapsed building in Ikoyi stood.

“That the said land was sold to him by Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors.

“That the Vice President, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property.”

He explained that at no time whatsoever did the “VP buy the land 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.”

He pointed out that all property and assets owned by him (the Vice President) have been publicly declared.

He added 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.

“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 statement clarified.

The Vice President restated categorically that he had no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.

He decried what he called “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 statement accused those behind the story of pecuniary motive, adding that “they were undoubtedly well rewarded for their criminal and inhumane conduct.

“Typical of a hatchet job and deliberately irresponsible journalism, the publication was not signed by anyone.”

The Vice President through the statement said he had “referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action.”