The controversies surrounding the inquest into the collapse of a building at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) continue to thicken with an email purportedly sent from the Niger Delta militant group MEND threatening an imminent attack at Ikeja High Court.
The email, seen by this reporter, was written by one ‘Commander Wilberforce’ who claims to be the ‘Chief of General Combined Operations’ for the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), South West Groups.
The message, which was emailed to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and addressed to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, states an attack on members of the Lagos State judiciary is imminent.
“It’s with the greatest regrets that we write through this medium to inform you of the imminent dangers and calamities that will befall Lagos State very soon,” the sour message begins.
It proceeds by revealing plans on 5th November 2014 to “blow up homes, offices and vehicles” of judiciary across Lagos State who have “mishandled matters affecting our members”, specifying Justice Ayotunde Phillips, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, as one of the key targets.
The email then sensationally alleges the militant’s predominant focus is the Coroner’s Inquest into the collapse of The SCOAN building on September 12th 2014 which left over 100 dead.
“This is so because there is no way these inquiries can continue without exposing the involvement of our associates and members in the controlled demolition of The SCOAN Guest House using the latest weapons of mass destruction,” Commander Wilberforce claims.
He further adds, “We’ve been directed from above by ‘those that must be obeyed’ never to allow any leakage or disclosures of the secrets connected therewith.”
The message ends with a warning to suspend activities at the inquest until 15thNovember 2014 or risk an “occurrence of grievous calamities of unimaginable dimensions”.
Interestingly, several media reports on September 11th 2014, a day before the tragic collapse at SCOAN, quoted the same Commander Wilberforce as warning of imminent attacks from MEND in Lagos State.
The article was titled, ‘MEND Threatens Terror Attacks In Lagos State‘ and contained morbid threats including that of bombing.
The next date for the ongoing inquest is set for Wednesday 5th November 2014 where the court has summoned Prophet T.B. Joshua to appear.
Mr Nosa Osazuwa, a ‘citizen reporter’ based in Lagos, Nigeria was present during the last two sessions of The Synagogue Inquest.
