The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has directed the immediate arrest of Shamsudeen Adebayo Apelegun, the National Chairman of the Tricycle Association of Nigeria, for failing to appear before the committee to respond to allegations of financial misappropriation and abuse of office.
The committee noted that Apelegun had been summoned more than five times but had consistently failed to appear. In a unanimous motion on Thursday, members of the committee directed the Inspector General of Police to apprehend and present Apelegun at the next committee session scheduled for December 3.
The summons followed a petition filed by the law firm I.M. Iliyasu and Co. on behalf of aggrieved association members, accusing Apelegun of financial misconduct.
“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,” stated Mike Etaba, Chairman of the committee.
In a related matter, the committee 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.
