Ambode sacks agency’s GM, two others over Lekki collapsed building

For alleged negligence which led to last Monday’s collapse of a building in Lekki, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LSCBA) General Manager Mr Adeigbe Olushola and two others have been sacked by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
The others are Head of Inspection and Quality Control Adeoye Thomas Adeyemi and a Zonal District Officer Dosunmu Gbadebo.
The agency’s Zonal Head of Eti-Osa West Mrs. Sherifat Adenike Akinde was compulsorily retired.
A statement by the Head of Service, Mrs Olabowale Ademola, said the affected officers were dismissed following their indictment for negligence, which according to her, is an act of misconduct under the Public Service Rule 040401.
The rule states: “A willful act of omission or general misconduct to the scandal of the pubic or to the prejudice of discipline and proper administration of the state government should be visited with dismissal from the Public Service in line with the Public Service Rule 040503”.
According to the statement, the disciplinary measure was the outcome of the recommendations of the Personnel Management Board to the governor, who it said, was personally grieved by the high casualty figure from the collapsed building.
Mrs Ademola also warned public officials, house owners and contractors who violate building regulations that it would no longer be business as usual. The dismissal of the officers, she said, would serve as a wake-up call to public servants.
“It is also a clarion call to them to be alive to their responsibilities as any act of negligence will face sanctions, while hardworking officers will be rewarded appropriately,” she said.
A rights group, Citizens Rights Association (CRA), has berated the police for handcuffing Lekki Garden Estate Ltd Managing Director Mr Richard Nyong, who was arraigned in court last Friday over the incident.
Nyong, CRA said, in a statement yesterday, should not have been handcuffed because he reported himself to the police.
The statement signed by CRA president Otunba Adeoye Ogundunmade said: “The action of the police should be condemned by all lovers of freedom and human dignity as it violated the rights of Nyong because an accused is presumed innocent until otherwise proven.
“He submitted himself to the office of Lagos State Police Commissioner in the company of his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), following an announcement by Lagos State governor that those connected with the collapsed building should do so.
“If he wanted to run away, he would have done so, but as a law abiding citizen, he gave himself up as he believed he has done nothing wrong. It is, therefore, disgusting to see the police bring him to court in chains.”