The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has referred two engineers to its Engineering Tribunal over separate building collapse incidents in Gombe State and Abuja, following investigations that established prima facie cases against them.
The council said the first incident involved the collapse of a reinforced concrete entrance canopy at the Gombe State House of Assembly Complex on July 10, 2026.
Following investigations into the project’s design, supervision and construction, COREN’s investigative panel established a prima facie case against Engineer Rahman Adegboyega Shittu of Ramad Consultant Limited.
The second incident involved a three-storey building under construction at Plot 481, Cadastral Zone B13, Gaduwa District, Abuja, which collapsed on May 16, 2026.
The investigation, initiated following a petition and referral from the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Department of Development Control, established a prima facie case against Engineer Mustapha Maikaba, the project’s consultant engineer.
COREN Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Okorie Uche, said the investigation reports were approved at the council’s 191st Ordinary Council Meeting held on October 15, 2026, before being forwarded to the tribunal for further proceedings.
The council clarified that establishing prima facie cases does not amount to a final determination of guilt or liability, adding that both engineers would have the opportunity to defend themselves under applicable laws.
In a related development, COREN approved the final draft of the Harmonised National Construction Safety Guidelines for the Nigerian construction industry.
The development highlights the importance of professional accountability, effective construction supervision and compliance with engineering standards in preventing building failures and protecting lives and property.
Leave a comment