COREN Establishes Prima Facie Cases Against 2 Engineers Over Building Collapses

The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) says it has established prima facie cases against two engineers following investigations into separate building collapse incidents in Gombe and Abuja.

The Registrar/Chief Executive of COREN, Prof. Uche Okorie, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, saying the council reached the decision after concluding investigations into the two incidents.

Okorie said the first incident involved a reinforced concrete cantilever entrance canopy at the Gombe State House of Assembly Complex, which collapsed on July 10, 2026.

He said COREN’s investigative panel established a prima facie case against Engr. Rahman Adegboyega Shittu of Ramad Consultant Ltd. following investigations into the design, supervision and construction of the project.

“The second incident involved a three-storey building under construction at Plot No. 481, Cadastral Zone B13, Gaduwa District, Abuja, which collapsed on May 16, 2026.

“The COREN’s panel established a prima facie case against the project’s Consultant Engineer, Mustapha Maikaba, following a petition and referral from the Department of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

“The investigation reports were approved at its 191st Ordinary Council Meeting held on Oct. 15 in Abuja and subsequently submitted to the COREN Engineering Tribunal for further proceedings.”

Okorie said the council, however, clarified that the establishment of prima facie cases did not amount to a final determination of guilt or liability, adding that the affected engineers would have the opportunity to defend themselves in accordance with the law.

He said in another development, COREN approved the final draft of the Harmonised National Construction Safety Guidelines for the Nigerian Construction Industry for gazetting and distribution to relevant stakeholders for implementation and enforcement.

He added that the council also endorsed collaboration with Federal and State Ministries of Works and other relevant agencies to ensure that engineering contracts were awarded only to COREN-registered firms.

He said COREN further approved collaboration with the Sector Skills Council for Engineering (SSC4E) and relevant agencies to vet and regulate artisans entering Nigeria to undertake engineering-related activities.

The registrar said COREN also constituted a committee to develop a sustainable funding framework for Engineering Regulations Monitoring and Enforcement (ERM&E) and State Technical Committee activities.

According to him, the move is to strengthen regulatory oversight.

He added that the framework would cover annual budgetary provisions, operational logistics, field allowances and emergency regulatory interventions, subject to financial controls.

On professional registration, he said the council approved 3,726 engineering practitioners across different categories.

Okorie said the figure comprised 2,510 engineers, 532 engineering technologists, nine engineering technicians and 675 engineering craftsmen.

He said COREN also approved the registration of 153 engineering firms, comprising 37 consulting firms and 116 other engineering firms.

He reiterated COREN’s commitment to impartial investigations, professional accountability and enforcement of engineering standards to safeguard lives and property.

Okorie said COREN urged engineers, developers, contractors and government agencies to ensure that engineering projects were properly designed, supervised and executed in line with approved safety standards.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)