TB Joshua fails to appear for building collapse trial
(Nigeria) Pastor T.B. Joshua of Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN and two contractors facing trial for criminal negligence over the church building
collapse that killed 116 worshippers failed to appear before a Lagos State High
Court sitting in Ikeja, on Monday, forcing the judge to adjourn the case till December 11, 2015.
Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe in his verdict attributed the
collapse to structural failures and said the church should be prosecuted as the
six-storey guesthouse did not have planning permission.
Joshua, who maintains the collapse was caused by a
mysterious "hovering" aircraft seen over the building beforehand or a
controlled explosion, repeatedly failed to appear at the inquest.
At court on Monday, Joshua was again absent, as were the two
engineers who have called the coroner's verdict "unreasonable, one-sided
and biased".
One member of the church's trustees was present.
The hearing was told the engineers, who have unsuccessfully
tried to obtain an injunction to prevent their arrest and prosecution, had not
been served with a summons.
Judge Lawal Akapo said he was unhappy at the defendants'
absence and said he would not tolerate any unnecessary delays of the trial.
"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," he said.
He directed the defence team to provide the court with the
engineers' addresses within 72 hours and adjourned the case until December 11.
Joshua, who counts powerful politicians from across Africa
among his flock, is known to followers as "The Prophet" and "The
Man of God".
He is a self-styled faith healer and mystic who also runs a
popular evangelical television channel.
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