Synagogue church of all nations SCOAN, in the Lagos state Ikeja high court this morning claimed that the Lagos state coroner law system (Alimosho coroner court) does not exist and requested for a judicial review of the Lagos state coroner law system.
The counsel to the SCOAN, Efe.l Akpofure, SAN, told the court that the filed suit/ application challenging the jurisdiction of the coroner court verdict presided by Magistrate Komolafe Oyetade on the ground that the court exceeded its statutory jurisdiction should be annulled and put to an end. The respondents to the suit are Magistrate Komolafe and the Attorney General of Lagos state.
Akpofure stated strongly that the Lagos coroner law system 2007 only established Lagos, Ikeja, Yaba and the Apapa district, the Alimosho coroner district which presided over the synagogue building collapse was not a creation of the Lagos coroner law system. The inquest acted in excess of its jurisdiction.
The respondents claimed that it was a judicial slip to add Alimosho to all the proceedings filed in court, Akpofure strongly objected their claim stating that “it was a judicial slip” does not tally with all the evidence presented in court. He further argued that the coroner thoroughly carried out his duty/ office claiming jurisdiction to himself despite a pending appeal challenging the jurisdiction, on that note Akpofure told the court the Lagos state coroner law system should be reviewed.
The law is clearly spelt out, while the verdict of the coroner delivered on the 8th of July 2015 against the application of the SCOAN challenging the jurisdiction six months after the coroner verdict, all they sought for was an extension of time the Attorney General maintained.
Justice Alogba adjourned the case till the 19th of February for ruling on the application after listening to both sides of the argument.