By Godswill Michael
The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has established prima facie cases against two engineers over separate building collapse incidents in Gombe State and Abuja, paving the way for disciplinary proceedings before its Engineering Tribunal.
The cases arose from investigations into the collapse of a reinforced concrete cantilever entrance canopy at the Gombe State House of Assembly Complex and a three-storey building under construction in Gaduwa District, Abuja.
COREN Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Okorie Uche, disclosed this in a press release issued on Monday, following the council’s 191st Ordinary Council Meeting held on October 15 in Abuja.
According to the statement, the first incident occurred on July 10, 2026, at about 3:25 p.m., at the construction site of the Gombe State House of Assembly Complex.
Following an examination of the project’s design, supervision and construction, the investigative panel established a prima facie case against Engr. Rahman Adegboyega Shittu (R.38234) of Ramad Consultant Ltd.
The second case involved the collapse of a three-storey building under construction at Plot No. 481, Cadastral Zone B13, Gaduwa District, Abuja, on May 16, 2026.
COREN said its investigation, initiated following a petition and referral from the Department of Development Control of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), established a prima facie case against Engr. Mustapha Maikaba (R.68.844), the consultant engineer on the project.
The council said it had approved both investigative reports and forwarded them to the Engineering Tribunal, which is expected to summon the affected practitioners for further proceedings.
However, COREN stressed that the establishment of a prima facie case does not constitute a final determination of guilt or liability, noting that the engineers would have the opportunity to defend themselves in accordance with applicable laws and procedures.
Beyond the investigations, the council 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.
It also endorsed collaboration with federal and state ministries of works to ensure that engineering contracts are awarded only to COREN-registered firms, while strengthening cooperation in inspections and investigations.
The council further approved the registration of 3,726 engineering practitioners, comprising 2,510 engineers, 532 engineering technologists, nine engineering technicians and 675 engineering craftsmen.
It also approved the registration of 153 engineering firms, including 37 consulting firms and 116 other engineering firms.
COREN said the measures were part of its commitment to promoting professional accountability, enforcing engineering standards and protecting lives and property.
The council urged engineers, developers, contractors and government agencies to ensure that construction projects are properly designed, supervised and executed in line with approved safety standards.