Engineers Indicted in Synagogue Church Collapse would face disciplinary Tribunal, Says Engr Ali, COREN Boss

The two Engineers linked to the Synagogue Church of All Nations building collapse, will soon face the disciplinary tribunal of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

COREN President, Engr Kashim Ali, made this known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

A coroner had recommended that Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun should be prosecuted for criminal negligence, which, he said, led to the building collapse.

The collapse last September killed 116 people.

Engr. Ali said the council had requested for a copy of the coroner’s inquest report, to enable it to study the ruling before the two indicted engineers face its disciplinary tribunal.

He acknowledged that while the two engineers were listed in the COREN register, they were, however, not registered as Structural Engineers.

Engr Kashim Ali, COREN president

According to him, one was registered as a Petroleum Engineer and the other as a Civil Engineer.

“We have arranged to get the Certified True Copy of the ruling of the Coroner’s Inquest. Then, we will proceed to hear the matter at the investigative tribunal.

“We need to confirm the status of the two Engineers involved and whether they are registered by COREN.

“We have found that they are registered by COREN but not as Structural Engineers. One is registered as a Petroleum Engineer while the other is a Civil Engineer,’’ he said.

The COREN President said that while the Coroner’s report unravelled the identity of the Engineers who handled the construction, COREN’s preliminary investigation had established that it was a case of structural failure.

“Before now, our preliminary investigation had established that it was a structural failure.

“However, the Coroner has been able to establish the identity of those directly involved in the construction of the failed building.’’

Engr. Ali said the two indicted Engineers risked sanctions from both the government and the regulatory body, adding: “it amounts to double jeopardy’’.

He reaffirmed COREN’s determination to check quackery while also ensuring that engineers adhered strictly to the ethics and standards of professional practice.

Culled from NAN.