Osibona was last seen before the Ikoyi building collapsed. His car still remains at the scene of the tragic event
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Fourscore Homes. Not many have heard that name until November 1 when a 21 storey-building collapsed. Questions about the owner, the engineers and whether the building was approved by the Lagos State government led to many other discoveries and actions.
The building was located at Ikoyi, the highbrow Lagos rich neighbourhood. It belongs to Fourscore Homes, a real estate development firm. Its managing director is Femi Osibona.
RELATED
Ikoyi building collapse: Lagos releases names of survivors
Sanwo-Olu suspends LASBCA GM over collapsed Ikoyi building
Does it have a building permit?
Gbolahan Oki, general manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), now suspended, said only 15 floors were approved for the Fourscore Homes, not 21.
But Lagos State deputy governor, Babafemi Hamzat, claimed Osibona’s Fourscore Homes secured the necessary permit for the 21-storey building.
Osibona whereabout?
Osibona has not been seen after the November 1 tragedy. His vehicle is still at the scene four days after the incident. His personal assistant was found dead in the rubbles.
Sahara Reporters quoted a source who said his police orderly confirmed that Osibona was in the building with his personal assistant, Nifemi, and a friend, Wale Bob-Oseni.
Osibona’s Real estate background
The Cable published a reflection of the Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) about Osibona at an event some years back.
According to Ashimolowo, he first met Osibona in 2001 when he came to preach at an event organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
According to him, the developer sought him after listening to his teachings on salvation and wealth creation.
“After listening to my tapes, he built 12 apartments in London, sold eight, kept four. Then he came to me again and said, ‘pastor Matthew, lay hands on me; where should I go again?’ After I’d laid hands the first time, he said ‘where should I go again? I want to go to South Africa; please pray for me.’ I prayed for him,” he said.
“Ladies and gentlemen, he went to South Africa and built 125 houses in the highbrow area of Centurion, next door to Johannesburg. He broke through exponentially.
“Then, he calls me and says: ‘where are you, sir? I want to come to you.’ I said ‘I’m in Ghana preaching’. He jumps on a plane and flies to Ghana from South Africa. He comes and says ‘where should I go again?’ I said, ‘look, I’m not your financial adviser. Go and meet your financial adviser.’ He said ‘you’re doing better than them.’ So, I laid hands on him, prayed for him and I said ‘go to Nigeria, your country’.
“They call him Femi Fourscore. Femi comes to Lagos, boom, he buys a land in Ikoyi and builds 40 apartments and sold each one for like a million dollars.
“As I am talking to you right now, in fact, this morning, Femi sent me a video. He’s building I think three towers together on Alexander. We know Ikoyi. One is 14 floors, one is 16 floors, one is 21 floors,” he said.
Osibona Où es-tu?
Has the 21-storey-building claimed Osibona like it did 34 other people so far? On the day of the tragedy, a witness had said he was in the building when it collapsed.
The Lagos State government has said it has constituted a panel to investigate the collapsed building. Only Osibona, most probably, has the information that could make the work of the investigators easy.