ESVARBON inaugurates disciplinary tribunal

To regain citizens’ confidence in its professional practice, the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria (ESVARBON) has inaugurated its disciplinary tribunal.

The tribunal, which decision also known as direction can only be quashed by the supreme court upon appeal within 28 days was inaugurated in Lagos by a representative of the assessor nominated by the chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

Administering the oath of office to the 12-member disciplinary tribunal headed by the chairman of ESVARBON, Sir Nweke Umezueruike, and the CJN assessor, Kenneth Ahia, a notary public, barrister Okafor, who performed the duty on behalf of the CJN, urged members to be above board in discharge of their duties.

According to him, that tribunal is the most important extra-judicial tribunal in the country given the fact that is it appealable only to the highest court in the land is an indication of the integrity and recognition of the members by the CJN.

He stressed that even other tribunals in the country like the medical disciplinary tribunal, their decisions are appealable in the court of appeal and not in the Supreme Court.

Speaking on behalf of the members after taking the oath of office, the chairman, Sir Umezueruike said the tribunal is empowered by section 13 of the ESVARBON Act.

The section, he said, charges the tribunal with the duty of considering and determining any case referred to it by the investigating panel and any other case of which the tribunal has cognizance.

He vowed to rid the practice of bad eggs, assuring that members will be above board and not to witch hunt any body.
According to him, while every registered person believes that the Board has the big stick, not many of them have seen the big stick wielded, which may have made people feel the board is toothless or that it has teeth but does not bite.
Sir Umezueruike stressed that the tribunal will start work with an impending case which the investigative panel has already established a prima facie case.

The tribunal, he said will prove to the Nigerian public that it is serious and will work without fear or favour.

He therefore urged members of the public to come out with any grievances against any registered members.

He said: “ I wish to take this opportunity to encourage members of the public not to continue shying away from making complaints to the Board.”

People should not just complain if they suffer loss by the action of registered persons. There is now hope for redress”.

Apart from ESVASRBON chairman, other members of the tribunal include the President of Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Roland Abonta, Chief Peter Ozili, Akin Olawore, Victor Alonge, Sola Fatoki, Omotola Nwazomoh among others, while Ifeanyi Uzonwanne will serve as the secretary of the tribunal.