A Lagos high court sitting in Ikeja has fixed Tuesday next week to deliver a ruling on the bail application filed by the two indicted engineers who oversaw the collapsed Synagogue guest House, which led to the death of 116 persons mostly South Africans on September 2014.
Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo fixed the date after hearing arguments of all the parties in the suit.
It would be recalled that the two engineers, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, were last week remanded in prison pending the hearing of their applications for bail which was schedule for today.
Moving the bail application dated April 19, 2016 brought pursuant to Section 115 of Section 2 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, counsel to Engineer Fatiregun, Mrs. Titi Akinlawon (SAN) argued that the offences committed by the defendant is a bailable offences.
She pointed out that her client did not jump bail earlier granted by a magistrate court and assured the court that if released on bail the accused would not flee.
Also, in his submission on the application, Counsel to Engineer Ogundeji, Mr Olalekan Ojo told the court that 'granting him bail will put him (defendant) in best position to prepare for his trial.'
Mr Ojo stressed that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty and that the court should hold in his favor by grant him bail
However,responding to their submission, the prosecution counsel, Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mrs Idowu Alakija urged the court not to grant the defendants bail.
She argued that while the court has the discretion to grant bail or not, 'the 4th defendant (Ogundeji) does not have an address within the jurisdiction of the court and therefore may jump bail if granted.'
Justice Lawal-Akapo after listening to them adjourned ruling till May 3, 2016 while the indicted engineers returned to Kirikiri prison.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the 111 count charge bordering on involuntary manslaughter, gross negligence and or reckless disregard for human life brought against them by the state.
Their offence is contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
It would be recalled that the two engineers, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, were last week remanded in prison pending the hearing of their applications for bail which was schedule for today.
Moving the bail application dated April 19, 2016 brought pursuant to Section 115 of Section 2 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, counsel to Engineer Fatiregun, Mrs. Titi Akinlawon (SAN) argued that the offences committed by the defendant is a bailable offences.
She pointed out that her client did not jump bail earlier granted by a magistrate court and assured the court that if released on bail the accused would not flee.
Also, in his submission on the application, Counsel to Engineer Ogundeji, Mr Olalekan Ojo told the court that 'granting him bail will put him (defendant) in best position to prepare for his trial.'
Mr Ojo stressed that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty and that the court should hold in his favor by grant him bail
However,responding to their submission, the prosecution counsel, Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mrs Idowu Alakija urged the court not to grant the defendants bail.
She argued that while the court has the discretion to grant bail or not, 'the 4th defendant (Ogundeji) does not have an address within the jurisdiction of the court and therefore may jump bail if granted.'
Justice Lawal-Akapo after listening to them adjourned ruling till May 3, 2016 while the indicted engineers returned to Kirikiri prison.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the 111 count charge bordering on involuntary manslaughter, gross negligence and or reckless disregard for human life brought against them by the state.
Their offence is contrary to Section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
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