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Court nullifies NIA’s claim of disbanding ARCON

By Yetunde Ayobami Ojo
06 February 2018   |   4:14 am
Justice Hadiza Shagari of a Federal High Court, Lagos has dismissed the suit filed against Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) by the former executives members of Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA).

High Court

Justice Hadiza Shagari of a Federal High Court, Lagos has dismissed the suit filed against Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) by the former executives members of Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA).

The former NIA exco members had instituted a suit delineated FHC/L/CS/73/2016 against ARCON following the latter’s decision to conduct examinations on professional practice for individuals (architects) desirous of registering with ARCON, a position, NIA frowned at and held that, it was against the Act establishing its regulatory body.

Plaintiffs in the suit are past President of Nigerian Institute of Architects, Tonye Bradie, David Majekodunmi and Dike Emmanuel.

NIA said it learnt about a circular dated 16th July 2015, issued by the office of the Secretary to the Federal Government dissolving ARCON and it wrote to the Minister for Works, Power and Housing, Mr. Raji Fashola to seek clarification on ARCON’s status.

NIA said one Architect Sani Gidado, a Director/HOD Architectural Services responded to its enquiry, saying that the matter was being attended to and advised NIA to avoid any further statements or correspondence on the matter until the Minister completed action on the matter.

In 2016, NIA said that ARCON made allegations of spreading false information against some persons.

The plaintiff urged the court to decided whether having been dissolved the Council of the defendant can perform any duty or exercise any statutory powers under the Architects (Registration) Act 2004, whether the powers of the Architects Investigating Panel is limited to allegation of misbehavior in capacity of an architect.

But defendant counsel prayed the court to determine whether ARCON can be dissolved or has in fact been dissolved by the circular dated 16th July 2015 issued by the office of the Secretary to the Federal Government.

They also wanted the court to determine whether ARCON has the statutory power to invite any erring architect to appear before the Architects Investigating Panel among others.

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