BEVERLY HILLS, June 06, (THEWILL) – It is hard to believe that popular real estate entrepreneur and socialite, Richard Nyong, just turned 40. For all that it is worth, it would have been quite understandable if Richard had chosen to celebrate elaborately, considering the kind of stunt he pulled in the real estate sector at such a young age. Instead, he chose to mark his birthday quietly in his home, devoid of fanfare and with only very close friends and family members in attendance. His decision may not entirely be unconnected to the need to lie low and remain under the radar after the series of unfortunate incidents that nearly marred his business and threatened to put him away for a long time.
Long before the real estate business in the Lagos metropolis became an all-comers affair, the Akwa Ibom born dude through his Lekki Gardens Limited, dominated the field with fervor and a freshness that many wanted to be a part of, by buying into what he was selling; premium homes in secluded and gated communities on Lagos Island. But a few years after he began his venture, in March of 2016, to be precise, one of his buildings, a five-storey building collapsed, leaving 30 people dead. Surprisingly, the building had not been approved by the Lagos State Government. In a bid to cut corners and make quick money, Nyong had placed order for the building, which was initially supposed to be a three-storey building to be increased by two floors, because of the high demand of his customers. He was arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on failure to obtain building approval for the collapsed building and involuntary manslaughter, the offences, contrary to and punishable under Section 75 (1) of the Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law of Lagos State 2010, and Section 229 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 respectively. Nyong was arraigned alongside his partners; Lekki Gardens Estate Limited, Get Too Rich Investment Limited, HC Insight Solution Limited and four others.
Although he regained his freedom after a short time and with the input of his very competent team of lawyers, however, the incident dented his image. It shook him so much that he went into oblivion. Not one to give up, he tried to stage a comeback but no sooner did he surface for air than he was slammed with another lawsuit for reneging on an agreement he signed with the residents of another gated community on Lagos Island, which he developed. These unending lawsuits, especially from the 2016 building collapse, which haunts him till date, forced him to take a complete break from the social scene. He is, no doubt, grateful that he is alive. Like a die-hard businessman, he has refused to drown with the dramas of his past as he forges on.
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