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Court adjourns case over HND, BSc dichotomy in ARCON

By Rotimi Agboluaje, Ibadan 
27 October 2020   |   3:03 am
The case between Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates of Architecture in Nigeria and Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Nigerian Institute of Architects, National Board of Technical Education, and others has been adjourned till November 4, 2020. Aggrieved HND graduates of architecture had filed the suit against ARCON for the manner the Council and the Nigerian Institute of Architects…

The case between Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates of Architecture in Nigeria and Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Nigerian Institute of Architects, National Board of Technical Education, and others has been adjourned till November 4, 2020.

Aggrieved HND graduates of architecture had filed the suit against ARCON for the manner the Council and the Nigerian Institute of Architects treat polytechnic graduates in Nigeria.

When the matter came up for hearing at the Federal High Court, Ibadan last week, trial judge, Abdul – Malik adjourned it on the ground that the 5th and 6th defendants were not served with the writ of summons.

The adjournment followed the judge’s observation that there was no proof of service of the originating process on the 5th and 6th defendants out of the six defendants sued by the plaintiffs.

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Yinka Agboola said the effort would be made to ensure service to the 5th and 6th defendants before the next date of adjournment.

Agboola frowned at the way and manner the HND graduates of Architecture are being treated by the Council, adding that by law both BSC and HND graduates of Architecture ought to be given equal treatment.

“By law, both institutions are recognised by the Architects Registration Act and the Nigeria Constitution, and so HND graduates of Architecture ought to enjoy the same treatment with their colleagues with BSC.

He said the discrimination against the plaintiffs was a recent development as the Council began to reduce and later stopped registration for the HND Architecture graduates, thus preventing them from becoming fully registered Architects despite going through all the educational rigours.

“The plaintiffs have earlier taken the respondents to Federal High Court, Akure but ARCON convinced the plaintiffs to withdraw the case in a bid to settle the matter out of court.

However, they were not able to settle the matter, resulting in the present suit,” he added. 

Speaking, one Oyekale, an HND graduate of Architecture who was present in court and who spoke on behalf of his colleagues called on stakeholders to rise to the issue to ensure that justice is served on the matter.

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