Lagos State branch of the Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria (APPSN), a subgroup of Nigeria Institution of Surveyors (NIS) has commenced prosecution of seven persons for alleged forgery and unethical practices.
Chairman of the association, Ibikunle Ganiyu Adaranijo, disclosed this during the APPSN 2024 yearly General Meeting and Luncheon in Lagos with the theme: “Sustainable Financial Solutions & Understanding Financial Literacy As A Private Practitioner”. He identified unethical practices among members, including quackery and forgery as some of the challenges facing the profession.
According to him, the association has increased its awareness programme to sensitise the public on the dangers of quackery and forgery. Adaranijo noted that three of its members are currently facing disciplinary actions, which suggests the seriousness the association placed on addressing the issue.
Some of the culprits, he said, are O.T Jegede, a resident surveyor in Ogun State, who was found culpable of engaging in undercutting, issuance of fake survey plan, falsification of Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) beacon numbers, professional negligence and violation of civil service codes in connivance with a staff of the office of the State Surveyor General ( OSSG), Damilola Ogunlolu.
He said:” A case of forgery of signature, duplication of SURCON seal and issuance of fake survey plan was also brought against Mr Adewale Adeshina, a staff of OSSG, and B.O Akande as an alibi. The Institution is currently prosecuting the case at the Ogba Magistrate’s Court. The next court hearing is scheduled for April 20.
“Another case of falsification of SURCON seal, issuance of a fake survey plan and undercutting was brought against Ayoola Daniel. The Committee investigated it and found the surveyor culpable from his confessions. It was recommended that he should pay a fine of N1.43million for undercutting and suspended for six months.”
Adaranijo called for an amendment of the SURCON Act to allow for stricter punishment and penalties for quackery, forgery and other unethical practices. He said: “Right now, the law permits only payment of penalties and suspensions.
“We have about seven cases in court dealing with surveyors for unethical conducts. “Over time, we realised that some civil servants from the state ministry are collaborating with some of them to do some malpractice and one of them is already in court.” On the issue of land grabbing, Adaranijo decried lack of political will on the part of the Lagos State government to address the menace.
According to him, though the state has set a committee to address the issue of land grabbing, not much has been done as many of the identified land grabbers still roam the streets without being prosecuted.
