News
JUST IN: Court strikes out suit against Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road
The Federal High Court in Lagos has declined jurisdiction in a suit challenging the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, striking out the case brought by residents and property owners in the Okun-Ajah community of Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State.
Justice Akintayo Aluko, in a consolidated ruling on multiple preliminary objections raised by the defendants, held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
Consequently, the case, marked FHC/L/CS/1488/2024, was struck out.
However, the Judge directed that the suit be transferred to the Lagos State High Court, which he deemed the appropriate forum to adjudicate on the issues raised.
The Plaintiffs, Chief Saheed Olukosi (Akogun of Okun-Ajah Community), Noibi Issa Afolayan, Yussuf Odunuga Sulaiman, Olufemi Fasehun, and Adeola Tokunbo filed the suit on behalf of Okun-Ajah residents and affected property owners, seeking to halt the coastal road project over alleged encroachment on their lands.
They asked the court to nullify any construction or planning activity on their properties, alleging unlawful encroachment and trespass.
Among the reliefs sought were orders to invalidate the road designs affecting their land, to restrain the authorities and contractor from continuing construction on the disputed area, and to award damages for the alleged trespass.
The defendants named in the suit include the Honourable Minister of Works, Dr. Dave Umahi; Engineer Olukorede Keisha; the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; Lagos State Attorney-General; the Lagos Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development; Surveyor-General of Lagos State; General Manager of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority; General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency; and Hitech Construction Limited.
In response, the 1st to 3rd and 9th Defendants filed separate preliminary objections challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
Represented by Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Prof. J.O. Olatoke, SAN; Y.A.H. Ruba, SAN; Roy U. Nwaeze, SAN; and Ibukun Fasoro, they argued that the matter fell outside the purview of the Federal High Court.
The preliminary objections were supported by affidavits, to which the plaintiffs responded with a counter-affidavit.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko upheld the objections, stating that the legal questions raised and the reliefs sought were more appropriately handled by the Lagos State High Court. He ruled in favour of the Defendants, bringing proceedings at the Federal High Court to a close.
“Counsel to the Plaintiffs made an alternative submission in his written address, urging the court not to strike out this suit if the court finds that it lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate over the case.
“Counsel urged the court to transfer this suit to the State High Court, instead of striking out same.
“I agree with Counsel on this request, as this court possesses the needed power and jurisdiction to accede to such prayer.
“This court is fortified under Section 22(2) of the Federal High Court Act, which provides thus: ‘No cause or matter shall be struck out by the court merely on the ground that such cause or matter was taken in the court instead of the High Court of a State or of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in which it ought to have been brought, and the Judge of the court before whom such cause or matter is brought may cause such cause or matter to be transferred to the appropriate High Court of a State or at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in accordance with Rules of Court to be made under Section 44 of this Act.
“The Objections of the 1st-3rd and 9th Defendant/Objectors are therefore, sustained. This court has no jurisdiction to adjudicate over the subject-matter in this case.
“Pursuant to Section 22(2) of the Federal High Court Act, this suit is accordingly transferred to the Lagos State High Court as the appropriate court for adjudication”, Justice Aluko held.
Some unknown gunmen have killed at least three policemen in Achi, Oji River Local Government Area, Enugu State.
Ohibaba.com learnt that the incident occurred at a checkpoint close to Ozudaa Market, Auchi.
Details of the incident are still sketchy as of the time of filing this report.
However, a viral gory video seen on Facebook by Ohibaba.com shows lifeless bodies of the slain policemen.
More to follow….
Watch the video on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Nasrk54MA/
In a decisive move to end the protracted land dispute between the Isinigbo and Igoba communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has approved the constitution of an Arbitration Committee to mediate the conflict and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
The committee is chaired by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON, expert in conflict resolution and a Fellow of the prestigious Chartered Institute of Arbitratirs in the United Kingdom.
The Governor’s action aligns with a resolution of the Ondo State House of Assembly and underscores his administration’s commitment to peace, security, and communal harmony across the state.
The land dispute between Isinigbo and Igoba has lingered for years, leading to the loss of lives and the destruction of property worth millions of naira.
The unrest has also strained social relations and disrupted the peaceful coexistence of residents in the affected communities.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s intervention is seen as a bold step toward restoring order and ensuring long-term stability.
The committee’s mandate includes identifying the root and immediate causes of the conflict, key actors involved, and facilitating peaceful dialogue between stakeholders.
Other members of the committee include Hon. Ololade Gbegudu, representing Okitipupa Constituency II in the State House of Assembly; Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Wilson Afolabi; Ondo State Surveyor-General, Surv. Idowu Owolabi; and Mr. F.O. Adaramola, Secretary of the Ondo State Boundary Commission, who will serve as secretary of the committee.
According to the appointment letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, the committee is also expected to recommend actionable solutions to the boundary issues and propose strategic policies to prevent similar conflicts in other parts of the state.
The committee has been given a three-month timeline to complete its assignment and submit its report to the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Olayide Owolabi Adelami, for further action.
News
Full list of fifty-one people killed in Plateau Monday Morning Attack
The movement described the attack as a continuation of an ongoing genocide and called for urgent intervention by the government and civil society organizations.
The Irigwe Youth Movement has confirmed the killing of 51 of its kinsmen in the early hours of Monday, April 14, 2025, in Zikke, Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, predominantly inhabited by Irigwe natives.
The massacre, carried out by suspected herdsmen militias, lasted for over 90 minutes between midnight and 1:30 a.m., leaving dozens of homes razed and scores of families devastated.
In a statement by Joseph Chudu Yonkpa, National Publicity Secretary of the Irigwe Youth Movement, made available to journalists Monday night in Jos, “the victims were murdered in cold blood by militias. The victims are as follows:
- Musa Dako, 64 years
- Daniel Adams, 27 years
- Obadiah Usman, 31 years
- Zinas James, 22 years
- Monday Sareke, 37 years
- Yohanna Kusa, 43 years
- Janet Danjuma, 29 years
- Sunday Dako, 49 years
- Reuben Adamu, 94 years
- Dogara Adamu, 69 years
- Bulus Moses, 26 years
- Stephen John, 28 years
- Menche Stephen, 7 years
- Nema Stephen, 4 years
- Mary Stephen, 24 years
- Wiki John, 30 years
- Joshua John Bagu, 46 years
- Margaret Morris, 6 years
- Debene Morris, 4 years
- Monday Sale, 52 years
- Salama Agah, 15 years
- Laraba Agah, 4 years
- Talatu Mangwa, 42 years
- Grace David, 45 years
- Lovina Monday, 19 years
- Agah Monday, 4 years
- Naomi Monday, 37 years
- Noel David, 13 years
- Jummai Stephen, 10 years
- Monday Keyi, 37 years
- Jerry Moses, 7 years
- James Moses, 10 years
- Jacob Moses, 3 years
- Danjuma Gado, 38 years
- Friday Moses, 14 years
- Talatu Moses, 47 years
- Akus Moses, 46 years
- Asi Jerry, 58 years
- Tele Zea, 29 years
- Bre Shetu Nanzhwa, 61 years
- Nanzhwa Ive, 5 years
- Kaja Daniel, 42 years
- Elisha Anthony, 37 years
- Anna Anthony, 67 years
- Danlami Randum (Mula), 49 years
- Ado Danjuma, 17 years
- Sarah Kula, 16 years
- Ishaya Moses, 10 years
- Juan Moses, 5 years
- Sunday Mangwa, 25 years
- Moses Bala, 43 years”
The movement described the attack as a continuation of an ongoing genocide and called for urgent intervention by the government and civil society organizations.
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