Collapsed Synagogue building’s foundation integrity solid, expert tells court

 Lukman Olabiyi

A geotechnical expert, and a defence witness, Ebenezer Ologuntoye, in the ongoing trial of Trustees of Synagogue Church of all Nation (SCOAN) and two engineers charged alongside their companies over the collapsed building that killed 116 persons, has told the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere, that the foundation of the collapsed building did not fail any integrity test.

The defence witness, who is a member of the Nigerian Geotechnical Association, told the court that findings on the test carried out on the collapsed building revealed that the foundation of the building did not fail and the baring capability was adequate. The witness made the revelation in his testimony before Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo.

The defendants, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, alongside their companies – Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company and Jandy Trust Ltd, are standing trial on a 110-cou