The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has directed Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to arrest Shamsudeen Adebayo Apelegun, National Chairman of the Tricycle Association of Nigeria, for repeatedly failing to appear before the committee to respond to allegations of financial misappropriation and abuse of office.
According to reports, this order for immediate arrest comes after Apelegun ignored over five summonses from the committee. On Thursday, committee members unanimously moved to instruct Egbetokun to detain and ensure Apelegun’s presence at the next scheduled meeting on December 3.
The summons was prompted by a petition from law firm I.M. Iliyasu and Co., representing association members who accuse Apelegun of financial misconduct.
Chairman of the committee, Mike Etaba, said, “We are here to ensure Nigerians’ welfare and will not tolerate any form of lawlessness. The Inspector General of Police is hereby requested to bring Apelegun in person during the next hearing.”
In a related matter, the committee also threatened similar action against the management of Prima Factory, located on Badagry Road in Lagos, due to their failure to appear before the committee to address allegations of neglecting Rafiu Taiwo, an employee injured on the job.
Taiwo, reportedly abandoned by the company after sustaining a workplace injury, has yet to receive adequate care or compensation.
The committee issued a stern warning, emphasizing that all companies operating in Nigeria must treat their workers with respect and responsibility.
Prima Factory, a Chinese-owned producer of plastic preforms and caps, was urged to respond to the committee’s summons or face possible repercussions.
