The Presidency has debunked a report that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo owned the land or had a stake in the 21-storey building that collapsed in Lagos on Monday.
The rebuttal was issued in a statement signed by Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity (Office of the Vice President), on Friday.
An online publication had on Thursday claimed that Osinbajo had bought the land, 44 B,C,D Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, upon which the building, which was under construction, crushed to rubbles on Monday from Michael Ade-Ojo, founder of Elizade Motors.
But the Presidency denied the claim, describing the report as “an obviously sponsored falsehood”.
According to the statement, the Vice President declared all his assets upon his assumption of office, noting that he has not been involved in any real estate business since he was sworn in into office.
The statement partly read: “Let it be made absolutely clear that Prof. Yemi Osinbajo does not own and has never owned the said land.
“He has also never been involved, in any shape or form, in the development of this or any other land since he became Vice President.
“At no time whatsoever did the VP buy this or any other piece of land from Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, or entered into any transaction for the sale of that land or any other piece of land from Chief Ade. Ojo or anyone for that matter.
“All property and assets owned by the Vice President have been publicly declared.”
The Presidency also explained that contrary to the report, the Vice President did not at any time contact Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, over the sealing and unsealing of the now-destroyed property.
“The Vice President restates categorically that he has no interest whatsoever, and has never had any interest, either legally or beneficially, in the land, the building or development.
“The wickedness and viciousness of a lie that seeks to utilise a tragedy where so many people have lost their lives, even as rescue efforts are ongoing, and in wanton disregard to the feelings and untold grief of their loved ones for political gain, reveals a dangerous desperation, as well as the heartlessness of the perpetrators of such despicable lies,” the statement read.
The statement noted that the Vice President has “referred this disgraceful publication to his lawyers for prompt legal action”.
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