Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has debunked a media report that he is the owner of the land on which the high-rise building which collapsed on Gerrard Road, Ikoyi was built.
Prof Osinbajo spoke through a statement by his media aide Laolu Akande on Friday.
The 21-storey building under construction collapsed on Monday, killing more than 30 people including the developer Femi Osibona.
Condoling with the families and relatives of all those who have died, injured or affected anyway by the collapse, Osinbajo described the incident as a horrible tragedy.
Mr. Akande’s statement also addressed claims made in a story by Sahara Reporters on Thursday.
The online news medium had reported that Osinbajo owns the land upon which the collapsed building stood, that the said land was sold to him by chairman of Elizade Motors Michael Ade-Ojo and that the vice president, at some point, intervened with the regulatory authorities in Lagos State to unseal the said property.
“Let it be made absolutely clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.
“He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.
“At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this 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.
“All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared,” the statement read in parts.
Osinbajo added that he never spoke to the governor of Lagos State or any other official regarding the unsealing of the said building or any other.
“The Vice President restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building, or development.
“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 dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies.
“Sahara Reporters 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 has referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action,” the statement concluded.
