Richard Nyong and Taiwo Odofin

The managing director of Lekki Gardens, Richard Nyong has been charged to court by the Lagos State Police Command over the collapsed five-storey building that killed 35 people this week.

Nyong was arrested by the police on Thursday.

He was arraigned at the Ebute Meta chief Magistrate court today which ordered his remand in police custody.

Chief Magistrate Folashade Botoku also ordered the remand of Mr Taiwo Odofin, one of the contractors that supervised the collapsed building.

The order of the court was premised on an ex-parte application brought before the court by the Officer-in-Charge of Legal Department of Police, CSP Thomas Eno-Edobor.

Nyong and Odofin in the dock

Mr Godwin Osuyi, an officer from the Legal Department of police who argued the application, informed the court that it was pursuant to Sections 6(6), 35 of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution.

He said that it was also pursuant to Sections 4 and 10, Laws of the Federation and Section 224(1) of Administration of Criminal Justice of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

According to him, the order is sought to enable the police to conclude its investigation on the matter.

Osuyi, therefore, urged the court to remand the duo until when police would conclude its investigation and file proper charges against them.

However, Mr Olabode Olanipekun and Mr Wangboje Femi, counsel to the two defendants, opposed the applications.

They both urged the court to either admit their clients to bail on liberal terms, or make an order directing them to be reporting to the police during working hours.

Ruling on the application, Chief Magistrate Botoku upheld the arguments of the prosecution and ordered that the two defendants be remanded at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba, for the first 30 days.

The magistrate adjourned the case till April 12.