Police arrest Lekki Gardens MD for collapsed building

The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested the Managing Director of Lekki Gardens, Mr. Richard Nyong, for the collapse of a five-storeyed building under construction on Kushenla Road, Ikate Elegushi, L

agos State, which killed no fewer than 35 persons.

It was learnt that 34-year-old Nyong was apprehended on Thursday.

One of the contractors handling the project, Odofin Taiwo, was arrested on Wednesday.

The building had crumbled around 3am on Tuesday with several workers trapped in the rubble.

It was reported that the state government had sealed the building, which was originally designed to be a three-storeyed structure.

“In a brazen act of defiance and impunity, the owners of the building, Messrs Lekki Worldwide Estate Limited, the promoters of Lekki Gardens, criminally unsealed the property and continued building beyond the approved floors until the unfortunate incident of Tuesday which has led to loss of lives,” a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde had read.

The Lagos State Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the arrest.

She said, “The MD, Lekki Gardens, Mr. Richard Nyong, has been arrested. He is in custody and will soon be charged to court.”