Section 7: Inspectors of enterprises

(1) Without prejudice to the operation of any enactment, there shall be appointed by the Minister from among members of the public service of the Federation inspectors of enterprise to exercise the functions conferred upon them by virtue of this Act and shall be responsible to the Minister and to no other person or authority.
(2) The inspectors shall, subject to this Act, have such powers and carry out such functions as the Minister may confer on them.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2) of this section, for the purpose of carrying out any of their functions under this Act, the inspectors-
(a) shall have a right of access at all times as may be necessary to any building or premises where any enterprise is being carried on or which they reasonably suspect is being used for any purpose to which this Act relates;
(b) may inspect such building or premises, or business in order to determine whether or not the building or premises is being used, or as the case may be, the business is being carried on, for the purposes authorised by this Act, and may require the production of all books of account or other documents and inspect them for ensuring that the provisions of this Act are being complied with; and
(c) shall be entitled to require from the directors or other officers of the enterprise such information and explanation as may be deemed necessary.
(4) Any person, who-
(a) without lawful excuse the proof of which shall lie on him-
(i) refuses to admit into his building or premises any inspector appointed under this section, or
(ii) denies the inspector the right to inspect the building or premises or the business for the determination of the matter specified in subsection (3)(b) of this section, or
(iii) refuses or neglects to give any information which any inspector may require from him; or
(b) in respect of any request for information from any inspector, makes any statement which he knows to be false or which he has no reason to believe to be true; or
(c) in any way obstructs any inspector in the discharge of such functions as may be conferred on him by this section,
shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.