A House of Representatives panel has directed Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), to arrest Richard Dauda, the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), over an alleged violation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) building code.

The committee on public petitions also instructed the IGP to detain Muktar Galadima, Director of the Department of Development Control at the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA), and Yahaya Abubakar, Director of Regional Planning, and present them before the panel on March 28.

Mike Etaba, chairman of the committee, made the order after the panel inspected a building at plot AO9399, Cadastral Zone, Guzape. The inspection followed a petition submitted by Leke Abejide, a lawmaker from Kogi State.

According to Etaba, the officials repeatedly ignored invitations from the committee.

“We had a petition brought before us by a Nigerian citizen. In the course of our investigation, the FCDA has refused to appear and present the necessary documents for us to proceed. Today, we visited the site referenced in the petition,” he said.

Etaba further revealed that an engineer on-site, identified as Mr. Emmanuel, admitted there was no approved building plan currently available.

“We have examined the structure, the landmark, and the cantilever. The complainant, as a Nigerian, has the right to security and safety. We are demanding more documents, particularly the approved building plan, so the FCDA can clarify the guidelines for this construction. Our goal is to ensure that those living in the area can have peace of mind. We are here to do justice to everybody,” he added.

Etaba also emphasized that the parliament has the constitutional authority to order the arrest of any Nigerian who disregards a legislative summons.