The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has requested the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) to suspend one of its members, Mr. Adekunle Onabekun, who was allegedly found to have deceived unsuspecting participants by falsely claiming to facilitate quick membership into the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in the United Kingdom, in exchange for a maximum payment of $21,000 which is equivalent to N10 million.

In a letter addressed to the National President of NIOB, Bldr. (Prof) Yohana Izam, HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, highlighted the report published by ThisDay newspaper titled “How Builder Impersonated UK Institute, Scammed Government, Investors in Award Racketeering.” The letter disclosed that Onabekun organized a program called “CIOB Nigeria Meet 2023”, using a registered business name: CIOB Nigeria HUB, with BN number: 870626.

According to the letter, “It was reported that Mr. Onabekun, under the pretense of facilitating quick membership of Nigerian Builders with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), UK, organized the programme and encouraged unsuspecting participants to part with a maximum of N10,000,000:00 ($21,000).”

Investigations conducted following the report have revealed that the CIOB (UK) had no knowledge of the program and did not endorse any fraudulent activities associated with it.

Expressing concern over the matter, HEDA demanded the immediate suspension of Mr. Adekunle Onabekun’s membership, pending the conclusion of the NIOB’s investigation. The organization further emphasized that upon the investigation’s completion, appropriate sanctions should be imposed, and Onabekun should be reported to the Nigeria Police Force for diligent prosecution.

Commending the NIOB’s executive members for their proactive response to address the fraudulent act, HEDA assured the public that they will closely monitor the case until a logical conclusion is reached, which includes the necessary sanctions and prosecution of Mr. Adekunle Onabekun.

HEDA, according to the statement, as a leading anti-corruption organization, remains committed to upholding ethical standards and advocating for human rights, transparency, and accountability in Nigeria; as it strongly condemns deceptive practices and emphasize the need for swift action and accountability in such cases.

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