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Collapsed 21-storey Ikoyi building: Lagos to prosecute Fourscore Homes

Published

5 years ago

February 17, 2022

Collapsed 21-storey Ikoyi building

• White Paper okays trial of civil servants

Fourscore Homes Ltd – the firm developing the 21-storey building that collapsed on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, on November 1, 2021— will face criminal prosecution.

This is part of the White Paper on the incident in which about 50 people lost their lives.

The remaining two structures being simultaneously constructed in the vicinity are to be demolished because they failed structural integrity tests.

Promoter of the firm Mr. Femi Osibona died when the building came down on the fateful day.

Also recommended to face administrative disciplinary panel are all government officials involved in granting approval to the developer in 2019.

The White Paper was prepared by the Lagos State government on the report submitted to it by the panel that probed the building collapse.

According to the White Paper, the remaining high-rise buildings will be pulled down through controlled demolition.

Twenty-six out of the 28 recommendations contained in the Report were accepted by the government.

Submitting the report on January 5, the panel chairman Mr. Toyin Ayinde, a town planner, blamed the collapse on the erosion of professional ethics and disregard for due diligence.

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In the course of their investigations, the panel members visited the project site for a general assessment; coordinated activities of the consultants who conducted tests on the site and reviewed documents from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)

They also conducted interviews; interrogated 91 persons; collected 21 memoranda and accessed the remaining buildings being developed by the late Osibona.

The tribunal, which was given nine-terms of reference, also hosted a representation of the developer’s company comprising two legal firms.

A new committee, which reviewed the tribunal’s 28 recommendations, was chaired by Commissioner for Special Duties Tayo Bamgbose-Martins.

The Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Moyosore Onigbanjo and Agriculture Commissioner Mrs. Abisola Olusanya, served as members.

The accepted 26 recommendations bothered on individuals and institutions – both private and public.

The review panel rejected two recommendations for being nebulous.

The government accepted the recommendation that Fourscore Heights Limited, owners of the collapsed building, be prosecuted in view of loss of lives involved in the tragedy.

The white paper frowned at a situation in which Fourscore was builder and architect – all rolled into one. For this, the tribunal concluded that Fourscore Heights did not do the right thing, a negligence that led to the loss of lives.

The state government has since directed the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to institute appropriate charges against the company.

For failing structural test, the two 15-storey buildings have also been approved for demolition through controlled demolition technique, having been recommended for such by the tribunal and accepted to by the state government.

The White Paper also recommended “evacuation of all occupants within a 45m radius from the extreme boundaries of the blocks in the interest of public safety.”

The White Paper states: “The developer, having been negligent, is to forfeit the project site to the state government, in accordance with section 25(4) of the revised LABSCA regulation 2019.

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“All the various participants, including civil/public servants, found culpable are to face disciplinary actions and prosecution, where applicable.

“This included all those that were involved in the 2019 approval of the collapsed building. The civil servants are to first face the personnel management board, in line with the public service rules. The disciplinary process is to be set up immediately and concluded with 14 days.

“Apart from civil servants, some professionals have also been referred to the professional bodies for disciplinary actions. The list here included engineers, town planners, and architects; while some companies have also been referred to the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria for disciplinary actions for their roles in the collapsed building. Besides this, some indicted companies such as the urban primer have also been blacklisted for the roles the played in the tragedy.”

The document chided three town planners (civil servants) who were said to have lied on oath.

According to the report, the three town planners were said to have authored a report using a consultancy firm’s name and claiming it was the firm that signed the papers for the collapsed building – all done without the knowledge of the firm’s owners. The three civil servants are to be prosecuted for preparing a consultant’s report through a dubious method.

However, one Oluwole Oludimu of Prowess Engineering Limited was highly commended for exhibiting the highest professionalism in challenging circumstances and standing firm despite intimidation by the developer and subsequent removal from the site by his firm.

The government also accepted the recommendation that an audit exercise by an independent consortium of professionals to scrutinise all high-rise buildings in the state.

Also accepted was the recommendation that there should be training for all officials involved in the building approval section, with more hands recruited to assist agencies that are short-staffed.

The Nation

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₦50,000 Monthly Relief: FG Begins Cash Payments to Vulnerable Nigerians

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Mr Bernard Doro

₦50,000 Monthly Relief: FG Begins Cash Payments to Vulnerable Nigerians

The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of ₦50,000 cash assistance to vulnerable Nigerians under a new intervention aimed at helping low-income households cope with rising food prices and the increasing cost of living.

The initiative, known as the National Emergency Relief and Stabilisation Intervention (NERSI), is being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction as part of efforts to provide financial support to households facing economic hardship.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, announced the commencement of the programme on Friday, October 30, 2026, explaining that the intervention was designed to provide immediate relief to eligible Nigerians.

According to the minister, the ₦50,000 cash support is intended to help beneficiaries meet essential household expenses amid persistent increases in the prices of food and other basic commodities.

He said the programme was introduced in response to the pressure of global food inflation and the rising cost of living, which have continued to affect the purchasing power of many households.

The government said the intervention would be reviewed periodically in response to changes in economic conditions, with beneficiaries expected to receive direct communication about any adjustments.

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Under the payment arrangement, the ministry is working with approved digital financial service providers to ensure that the funds reach selected beneficiaries through secure channels.

The programme’s official website lists ALAT by Wema Bank, MoMo PSB and NairaGram as approved payment providers. Beneficiaries are expected to receive text messages from the providers and give their consent before the funds are transferred to their accounts or mobile wallets.

The government said beneficiaries would not need to pay any fee, register through an agent or submit an application to access the intervention.

Selection is expected to be based on verified national identity records and information in the National Social Register, which is used to identify poor and vulnerable households.

The ministry also warned Nigerians to be cautious of fraudsters seeking to exploit the cash transfer programme by demanding payments or requesting confidential banking details.

Doro urged beneficiaries not to disclose their Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) or One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to anyone claiming to facilitate their payments.

He advised Nigerians who receive suspicious messages or are asked to pay money before accessing the support to contact the programme’s official helpline on 0700-022-2222 for clarification.

The intervention is expected to complement existing social protection programmes and other government efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship on low-income households.

However, there is an important discrepancy over how frequently the ₦50,000 will be paid. Although the minister’s announcement describes the support as a monthly payment, the programme’s official website currently identifies it as a one-off grant.

The ministry should therefore clarify whether beneficiaries will receive the money every month or only once under the current intervention.

For now, Nigerians are advised to rely on official government announcements and verified messages from approved payment providers for information about eligibility and disbursement.

₦50,000 Monthly Relief: FG Begins Cash Payments to Vulnerable Nigerians

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Zamfara Kidnap: Three Imams Regain Freedom After Weeks in Captivity, Three Others Still Held

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Zamfara Kidnap: Three Imams Regain Freedom After Weeks in Captivity, Three Others Still Held

Three Islamic clerics abducted by armed bandits in Zamfara State have regained their freedom after spending several weeks in captivity, following a joint security operation involving the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Police Force.

However, three other clerics abducted alongside them on September 12, 2026, are still being held by their captors, with security agencies intensifying efforts to secure their release.

The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Bello, confirmed the rescue on Friday, October 30, during an interview with journalists in Gusau.

Bello said the operation was successful because of the collaboration among the security agencies, which combined intelligence gathering and coordinated tactical operations to locate and rescue the victims.

He explained that the operation involved the ONSA, DSS and police operatives, adding that security personnel were continuing efforts to track down the armed bandits responsible for the abduction.

According to the police commissioner, intelligence supplied by residents and members of affected communities had also been useful in the ongoing operations.

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The rescued clerics were among six Islamic scholars kidnapped on September 12 while travelling to Talata Mafara in Zamfara State.

The victims were reportedly intercepted by heavily armed bandits at about 11:30 a.m. along the Dakko-Damri feeder road near Sububu Forest in Bakura Local Government Area, approximately three kilometres from Damri village.

The clerics were travelling to attend a special prayer gathering organised for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the residence of former Zamfara State Governor and Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari.

The gathering was intended to offer prayers for the success of Tinubu’s administration and political future ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Following the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of N30 million for the release of the clerics.

The incident generated concern among their families, religious communities and residents of Zamfara, particularly as the victims remained in captivity for weeks.

A senior security operative involved in the rescue operation said the three clerics were freed unharmed following intelligence-led security manoeuvres.

They subsequently underwent medical examinations and security debriefing and were reported to be in stable condition.

Security operatives said arrangements were being made to formally hand them over to the Zamfara State Government for reunion with their families.

Meanwhile, the police commissioner said operations would continue until the remaining three clerics were rescued and those responsible for the abduction were brought to justice.

He urged residents to provide security agencies with credible and timely information that could assist in tracking criminal groups operating across the state.

The rescue comes amid persistent security challenges in Zamfara and other parts of north-western Nigeria, where armed groups have continued to carry out kidnappings, attacks on communities and other violent crimes.

The latest development has brought relief to the families of the three rescued clerics, although uncertainty remains over the fate of those still in captivity.

Security agencies have assured that efforts to secure their freedom remain ongoing.

Zamfara Kidnap: Three Imams Regain Freedom After Weeks in Captivity, Three Others Still Held

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Ghanaian Teen Chased, Shot Dead on Way to School in New York

Published

2 hours ago

October 31, 2026

Trends Admin

Javits Badu Nkansah

Ghanaian Teen Chased, Shot Dead on Way to School in New York

A 15-year-old Ghanaian teenager, Javits Badu Nkansah Frimpong, has been shot dead while walking to school in the Bronx, New York, with his grieving father raising concerns that alleged bullying at school may have been connected to the fatal attack.

Frimpong was reportedly shot in the stomach shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2026, near East 171st Street and Third Avenue in the Claremont neighbourhood of the Bronx.

The teenager was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital by responding police officers but later died from his injuries.

According to reports, Frimpong was on his way to DreamYard Preparatory School when he was attacked. Surveillance footage from the neighbourhood reportedly showed him running along the street as a person dressed in black pursued him before he collapsed.

Police said they were searching for three people believed to have been involved in the shooting. The suspects were reportedly seen fleeing the area after the attack, with some accounts describing them as teenagers wearing dark clothing and face coverings.

As of Friday, October 30, no arrests had been announced, while investigators were yet to establish the motive for the killing.

The teenager’s father, Thomas Frimpong, said his son had complained about being bullied by another student and had repeatedly reported the alleged harassment to school authorities.

According to him, the school’s principal contacted him a few days before the shooting to inform him that two students had been suspended following complaints involving his son.

Thomas said he became concerned that the alleged bullying might have played a role in the killing, although the police have not established any connection between the school incidents and the shooting.

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He described Javits as a quiet, intelligent and disciplined teenager who rarely went out and was committed to his education.

The father said his son moved from Ghana to the United States in 2025 to live with him in the hope of building a better future.

Recounting the final moments before the tragedy, Thomas said he woke his son up on Thursday morning before leaving home.

He recalled that Javits came to open the door for him before he left, unaware that it would be their last encounter.

The father said he later received the devastating news from the principal of his son’s school.

He also expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the attack, insisting that his son had not been involved in any serious trouble and had repeatedly sought help over the alleged bullying.

A school bus aide also told CBS New York that he was aware of at least two students who had been suspended in recent weeks over alleged bullying involving Javits.

However, authorities have not confirmed whether the students reportedly involved in the school incidents had any connection with the shooting.

A friend of the deceased also told local media that Javits had been involved in an altercation with two students at school shortly before his death. The friend, however, said the confrontation was not particularly serious.

The conflicting accounts have added to calls for a thorough investigation into the teenager’s death, although police have not publicly established a link between the school dispute and the fatal shooting.

Meanwhile, the killing has attracted attention in Ghana, with the country’s government promising to work with United States authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said he had spoken directly with the deceased’s father to convey the government’s condolences and assure the family of its support.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the government would actively engage relevant American authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and accountability.

Ablakwa, speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, described the teenager’s death as a painful loss and assured the bereaved family that Ghana would support its pursuit of justice.

The minister also pledged that the government would provide appropriate legal and consular assistance to the family.

Officials of Ghana’s Permanent Mission in New York reportedly visited Thomas Frimpong to express their condolences and convey the government’s support.

The government also urged authorities in the Bronx to conduct a comprehensive investigation and ensure that anyone found responsible for the killing is brought to justice.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about school bullying, youth violence and the safety of students, particularly those who may be experiencing harassment without adequate protection.

For Javits’ family, however, the immediate priority remains obtaining answers about why the teenager was killed and ensuring that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

Police investigations were ongoing as of October 30, with authorities appealing to anyone with information about the shooting to assist in identifying the suspects.

The father’s concerns have been reported by NBC New York, while CBS New York independently reported that a school bus aide was aware of students being suspended over alleged bullying. Ghana’s government has also officially pledged support to the family.