Synagogue building collapse: COREN continues investigation despite opposition

T.B Joshua

Okechukwu Nnodim, Abuja

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria has carried on with its investigation into the circumstances that warranted the collapse of a section of the Synagogue Church of All Nations’ building in Lagos, despite stiff resistance by a legal practitioner.

At the headquarters of the agency last week, COREN’s Council of Registered Engineers Investigating Panel met on the matter but the action was opposed by Mr. Donald Ayibiowu, the counsel to the two engineers currently facing criminal charges before a Lagos State High Court for their involvement in the construction of the building.

The panel was convened to investigate the professional conduct of the two engineers involved in the construction of the Synagogue church building, which collapsed on September 14, 2014.

The two engineers, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, were represented at the hearing by their counsel, Ayibiowu.

The lawyer said the panel should not hear the testimonies of the witnesses it invited on the grounds that his clients were still in custody despite the fact that they had fulfilled all the bail conditions imposed by the court.

Ayibiowu made several attempts to dissuade the panel from forging ahead with its investigation, as he argued that the hearing should be adjourned to a later date to enable his clients to attend.

According to him, any attempt to hear the invited witnesses will amount to a breach of the principles of fair hearing and justice.

But the Chairman of the panel, Mr. Nurudeen Rafindadi, stated that the prayer of the defence counsel would not be granted since the panel’s job was a fact-finding one and not to decide on the issues at stake.

He maintained that the invited witnesses must testify at the hearing and noted that the panel would avail the defendants records of the proceedings while the counsel would also be given a chance to cross examine the two witnesses.

Talking to Ayibiowu, the panel chairman said, “Your presence here is representative of your clients. So, proceedings have to continue so as not to waste time. This panel does not have the power to determine anything. Ours is to investigate and pass the findings to the tribunal.”

Realising that his objections would not stop the panel from proceeding, as his prayers for an adjournment were ignored, Ayibiowu staged a walk out during the hearing.

But Rafindadi told journalists that the absence of the counsel would not have any implications on the outcome of the matter, especially if it would eventually get to the tribunal stage.