SAN FRANCISCO, January 04, (THEWILL) – The Panel of enquiry into the ill-fated collapse of Reigners Bible Church, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, has ordered the Police Commissioner, Murtala Mani, to release the architect, Anietie Augustine, from custody.
The decision was reached after the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Umoekoyo Essang (retd), listened to Ini Ekpo, lawyer to the founder of the church, Apostle Akan Weeks.
Ekpo revealed that the relevant documents, such as the architectural design, building plan and the survey plan, were with Augustine, who had been in police custody for alleged negligence in the incident insisting that except Augustine was released to give evidence, the case would not go smoothly.
He noted that the defence had explored several legal means to bail Augustine from detention but the police were uncooperative adding that Augustine’s release would expose several hidden facts about the collapse of church building.
Augustine’s lawyer Ekanem Ekanem, posited that the action for his client’s release was long overdue saying that his client was detained for being the one who designed the structure although he knew that his client did not design any of the aspects of the collapsed church building.
He disclosed that the police first said those in custody were there on the instruction of the state government, adding that the police did not have the power to release them adding that the next time they went to the police, they were told that the detainees were held on the order of the pastor.
The lawyer quoted the police as saying that unless the pastor asked the police to release the people, they could not do so.
“He (Augustine) merely volunteered to carry out the design, which was already made by people that he has named. Somebody designed the roof, somebody else designed the structure. So, he merely went to supervise what was already planned, drawn and designed,” he disclosed.
“I met him on two occasions while in detention. He gave me what I’m just telling you now. I asked him about his roles.
“He said nothing that he merely volunteered – as he worshipped in that church – to check the project. He told me that he only joined the workforce as a member and worshipper of the church.
“Why do we now leave the people who designed the building and mapped out everything and concentrate on the people that merely assisted? It is like leaving the substance to chase the shadow.”
Essang however adjourned hearing on the matter till January 6 having ordered Augustine’s release.
Story by Oputah David
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