The panel of enquiry on the collapse of five-storey building under construction at Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha, Anambra State has revealed that the license of the consultant handling the project expired 25 years ago.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
The panel, during its first public hearing, made a shocking revelation that the architectural and structural drawings of the five-storey building had no approval from any known relevant authorities.
Chairman of the panel, Akaolisa Ezeagu, said the Supervising Consultant Engineer, who handled, supervised the construction of the collapsed building had been practicing illegally for the past 25 years without legal operational licence. He said the project, which was billed for commissioning by the Old Boys’ Association of DMGS next year, collapsed two weeks ago, killing one person and injuring three people.
“What I have is the letter of notification of provisional approval, but the structural drawings were not stamped, and you know that in Anambra State, we can finish a building and leave in it before you get approval”.
Deepening the revelation further was the confusion over the body that carried out the soil test as Prof. Oyeka said it was done at the Civil Engineering Department, Enugu State University (ESUT), but the approval was signed by one Anago of Vengen Geo Technical Services Enugu.
“They told me to go to the Civil Engineering Department, Enugu State University (ESUT) for the soil test, but it was signed by Anago of Vengen Geo Technical Services Enugu and not the university. I was told that ESUT has a good laboratory and I contacted a lecturer, but Anago signed the soil test and I have not met the man, Anago, before, and I have not seen him face-to-face and I think he is the Managing Director of that Vengen Geo Technical Services Enugu”.
Fielding questions from the panel of enquiry, the Supervising Consultant Engineer for the project, Chukwuemeka Nweke, confirmed that the panel had not renewed his licence of practice for the past 25 years.
It was also discovered by the panel that the consultant had no permit number to build, in line with the requirements of the regulatory body.
“I have not renewed my licence for about 25 years because we have issues with COREN and because of that, I have not renewed it since I’ve been in this profession,” he said.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
