Synagogue collapse: Indicted engineers to face COREN tribunal — President

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), according to the council president, Mr.Kashim Ali.

Mr. Ali said yesterday that   the council had requested  a copy of the coroner’s inquest report which indicted them for negligence.

Chief Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe on Wednesday recommended  that the two engineers, Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun, should be prosecuted for criminal negligence which, he said, led to the building collapse.

Mr. Ali told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the council would study  the ruling before the two indicted engineers  could 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.

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 the COREN.

“We have found that they are registered by the 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,the 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.”

Mr. Ali said the two indicted engineers risked sanctions from both the government and the regulatory body, adding: “it amounts to double jeopardy”.

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

The collapsed building claimed 116 lives.

The Synagogue Church has rejected the coroner’s report,dismissing it as unreasonable,one-sided and biased.”