Court Orders Lagos State To Show FG Approval To Erect Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, Uncategorized Thursday, December 5th, 2013

Ruth Bamidele, Lagos

At the resumed hearing of a suit instituted by Lagos human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa against the Lagos State Government (LASG), challenging its collection of toll on the lekki-ikoyi suspension bridge,

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola

Justice Saliu Saidu of Federal High Court Ikoyi, Lagos on Thursday, ordered the Attorney General of Lagos State, Ade Ipaye to tell the court on the Lagos State’s claim that it paid and secured approval from the Federal Government (FG) to erect the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge.

The court also directed the Attorney General and all the respondents to file written addresses on the new facts raised in the third respondent’s counter affidavit, stating that it had obtained approval for the bridge.

Counsel to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mrs Queen

Mba, was also ordered to file a reply to the third respondent’s counter affidavit, and that a failure to do so, will be seen as an admission of facts deposed.

Respondents in the suit includes: the Lagos State Government, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr Adeola Ipaye and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

Ipaye had earlier instituted a counter affidavit on November 25, 2013, where he stated that the state government had gotten the approval of the Federal Government to construct the bridge.

Adegboruwa had filed an action on November 26, 2012, praying for an order of injunction, restraining the LASG from collecting any toll or tax in any form whatsoever, from motorists on the bridge, although the respondent had maintained that an approval was sought and obtained, the said approval did not vest power in the state to impose toll on motorists.

He also wants the court to determine whether the LASG has any authority to erect a bridge on the Lagos Lagoon and the Lekki Lagoon, which according to him are both by law federal navigable waterways.

The lawyer also wants the court to determine whether the imposition of such toll on road users and residents of Lekki Scheme 1, Ikoyi, Ajah,

Ibeju-Lekki and Epe communities, does not amount to a violation of their human rights.

He said, “A declaration that the imposition of such toll or tariff, is an illegal form of taxation and is inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The matter has been adjourned till January 16, 2014 to enable parties file their addresses.