Coroner rules 'criminal negligence' as cause of collapse, orders prosecution of church

The coroner overseeing an inquest into the cause of the collapse of a building within the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN)has given his verdict.

The magistrate, Oyetade Komolafe on Wednesday, July 8 ruled that the church’s “criminal negligence” led to the incident.

A six-storey guest house collapsed in September 2014, killing 116 people and injuring over 100 people. Over 80 people who died were South Africans.

Magistrate Komolafe made the ruling after the inquest sat for months and it would be recalled that the church’s founder had refused to show up being summoned several times for questioning by the court.

According to reports, while delivering his verdict, Wednesday, the coroner said‎ the church, owned by popular televangelist, T.B Joshua, should be investigated and prosecuted for failing to obtain the relevant approval before embarking on the construction of the building.