The Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Pastor T.B. Joshua, on Monday failed to appear at the court where he was expected to be arraigned alongside others trustees of the church over the collapse of a guest house within the premises of the church in Ikotun area of Lagos State.
Just a member of the Board of Trustees was present at the Lagos High Court were they have been dragged to answer charges over the collapse of the guest house, which left 116 persons dead who are mostly South Africans.
The two engineers who supervised the construction of the collapsed building didn't turn up as well.
Only one member of the Board of Trustees was present in court.
A Coroner, Oyetade Komolafe, had found the church guilty as the verdict indicated that the collapse was due to structural failures.
Komolafe recommended that the church should be prosecuted as the six-storey building did not have the requisite construction permit of the Lagos State Government.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Akapo Lawal, expressed unhappiness over the absence of the defendants. Lawal stated he would not tolerate any unnecessary delay of the trial. He said: “It appears the defendants are not mindful that this is a criminal proceeding.
“This is a criminal trial and a sensitive matter like this one should be given accelerated hearing.”
Lawal ordered the defence team to provide the court with the engineers’ addresses within 72 hours and adjourned the case till December 11.