The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has issued a warrant of arrest on the Executive Secretary of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA), Mr Richard Dauda, over alleged breach of building code in the territory.
The committee also called for the arrest of Director, Department of Development Control (FCTA), Mr Muktar Galadima, and the Director of Regional Planning of FCT.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Mike Etaba (APC- Cross River), issued the warrant after the committee inspected a building located at Plot AO9399, Cadastral Zone, Guzape, following a petition filed Rep. Leke Abejide (ADC-Kogi).
Etaba said that the parliament was left with no option than to issue the warrant after the FCDA officials had deliberately shunned the committee’s summon on Tuesday and Thursday.
According to him, the warrant is in tandem with the extant provisions of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, 2017.
“We had a petition that was brought before us by a Nigerian citizen in the course of investigation.
“FCDA has refused to come and tender documents necessary for us to proceed with this investigation. But for today, we have come to the site which the petition is referring to.
“We have looked at the building plans and the engineer in site who we met, known as Mr Emmanuel, told the committee that there is no approved building plan with him at the moment.
“We have looked at the structure, the landmark, the cantilever that the complainant, who is a Nigerian that has a right to his security and safety, referred to.
“We have looked at it and we will go back to the committee and ask for more documents, most especially the approved plan, so that FCDA will be able to explain to us the guidelines they gave for this building.
“This will help in determining what is actually good for this site and allow the Nigerians living around here have their peace.
“We are here to do justice to everybody,” he said.
The chairman said that the FCDA officials would be compelled to produce documents required to ascertain the veracity of the claims of the petitioner
Also speaking, counsel to petitioner, Mr Samuel Ajayi, explained that the petition before the committee was in respect of the development on a property at AO9399, Cadestral zone, allegedly contravening the building code of the FCT.
“We have a complaint in respect of a building going on in Guzape, which trespassed into the rights of my client.
“We are urging the appropriate authority to take appropriate step address the issue,” he said.
The committee, therefore, directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetekun, to ensure the arrest of the officials.
It stated further that Egbetokun should compel them to appear before it on March 28 to explain their roles in the committal of the alleged infraction.