A coronera's inquest was to hold on Wednesday to investigate the cause of the building that collapsed in the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). T.B. Joshua was due to appear at the coronera's inquest but once again failed to show. While the coroner threatened to order his arrest, Joshua's lawyers told reporters at the hearing they were challenging the jurisdiction of the coroner to issue a witness summons.
A coroner’s inquest was to hold on Wednesday to investigate the cause of the building that collapsed in the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). T.B. Joshua was due to appear at the coroner’s inquest but once again failed to show. While the coroner threatened to order his arrest, Joshua’s lawyers told reporters at the hearing they were challenging the jurisdiction of the coroner to issue a witness summons.
“So, TB Joshua is not in court, the (building) contractor is not in court. Any of the witnesses who is not in court today will be arrested,” the coroner said. “I will issue a warrant of arrest for such a witness. I think the court has been lenient enough.”
Although T.B. Joshua and officials at his have suggested the 'strange plane' , which they claimed was “hovering” above the building, may have caused the tragedy but government officials have said the plane belongs to the Nigerian Airforce and was not responsible for the collapse.
Lagos State building inspector Olutoyin Ayinde said, “Based on the distance of the aircraft to the building, it was practically impossible for the aircraft to cause the collapse.” Ayinde also told the court that the guesthouse did not have planning permission and that inspections had found that several other structures on the SCOAN site were structurally unsound. If T.B. Joshua fails to turn up to the next hearing he would probably be arrestted.
Meanwhile, the South African government has brought the remains of those killed in the Church collapse back to their loved ones. The bodies of 74 of the 84 people killed in the September tragedy were repatriated on Sunday. Eleven others have not yet been positively identified. A memorial service for 22 victims from Johannesburg was held at City Hall in Johannesburg yesterday.