The coroner inquest investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapsed of the 21-storey high-rise building located on GerardRoad, Ikoyi, Lagoson November 1 was yesterday stalled due to power outage at an Ikeja Special Offence Court. Thecollapsedbuilding led to the death of 46 persons, including Mr Femi Osibona, the developer and Managing Director of Fourscore Heights Ltd. Yesterday’s proceedings was scheduled for the continuationof thetestimonyof astructuralengineerandthe Managing Director of ProwessEngineering NigeriaLtd., Mr Muritala Olawale.

During the proceedings, the Coroner Mr Oyetade Komolafe suggested that the sitting be stood down to a later time during the day or adjourned till another date as a result of the power failure. The coroner noted that the microphones in the courtroom and the equipment used for recording proceedings could not work as a result of the poor electricity. Komolafe said: “You will notbeabletohearmeandwe willalsobeunabletohearthe witness.” Counsel for all interested partiesand thecoroner came to an agreement that proceedings should be adjourneduntilJanuary 12and13,2022forthecontinuation of Olawale’s evidence.

However, the proceedings was attended by Mr Akin George, who represented the Lagos State Government and Mr A.S Odugbemi, representing the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA). Other counsels include – Mr O.M Adeosun for Prowess Engineering Nigeria Ltd and Mr Yusuf Laman from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). TheCouncilof Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), CouncilforRegulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) also had representatives at the inquest.