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JUST IN: Court strikes out suit against Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road

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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.

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LASEMA rescues 12, 3 dead bodies at Ajuwon building collapse

Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, disclosed this while giving an update at the scene of the incident…

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The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said Tuesday twelve persons have been rescued alive, while three bodies have been recovered while search and rescue operations are ongoing at the collapsed building in Ajuwon, a border community between Ogun and Lagos State.

Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, disclosed this while giving an update at the scene of the incident, said that following the approval of Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, LASEMA deployed its specialised rescue team and heavy equipment to support the Ogun State Government and other responding agencies.

” Working alongside officials of the Ogun State Government, NEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun Corps and other stakeholders, 12 persons were rescued from the rubble and three bodies have been recovered,” he said.

According to him, the operation is now at ground zero, with responders excavating below the foundation level to ensure no victim remains trapped before the operation is concluded.

An adjoining bungalow, compromised by the collapse, will also be carefully demolished to eliminate the risk of a secondary collapse.

LASEMA commends the collaboration among all responding agencies and extends its condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The Agency also urges property owners and developers to comply with building regulations and carry out periodic structural integrity assessments to prevent similar incidents.

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Billionaire Dangote to donate one-third of wealth to philanthropy,says daughter

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dangote’s net worth is estimated at $35.1 billion, meaning one-third of his current fortune would amount to about $11.7 billion if maintained at that level.

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[File photo): Aliko Dangote and his daughters

Halima Dangote, the daughter of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed plans by her father to donate one-third of his wealth to charity.

Halima, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, disclosed the arrangement in an interview with Bloomberg published on Tuesday.

According to her, the billionaire had secured his family’s support to dedicate 33 percent of his estate to philanthropy.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dangote’s net worth is estimated at $35.1 billion, meaning one-third of his current fortune would amount to about $11.7 billion if maintained at that level.

Explaining the decision, Halima said her father considers philanthropy central to his legacy and has embedded it into the family’s long-term succession plans.

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BREAKING: Two-Storey Building Collapses in Ajuwon, Residents Feared Trapped

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A two-storey residential building has collapsed along Baale Road (also referred to as Baale Street) near Ajuwon Bus Stop in Ajuwon/Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Monday, 27 July 2026, leaving several occupants feared trapped under the rubble.

The incident, which occurred in the Lagos-Ogun border community, triggered panic among residents and passers-by as the structure gave way unexpectedly. Crowds quickly gathered at the scene while waiting for emergency responders. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes of people attempting to dig through the debris by hand.

According to one eyewitness identified as Anthony, only a single male occupant managed to escape before the building became completely inaccessible. The survivor reportedly told those at the scene that his wife and children remained trapped inside.

Preliminary reports indicate that at least three people — including a grandmother, her toddler grandchild, and another man — have been rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital. Several others are still feared trapped. The exact number of people affected, including any injuries or fatalities, has not been officially confirmed by authorities at the time of reporting.

The Executive Chairman of Ifo Local Government, Hon. Idris Kusimo, has arrived at the scene and is coordinating with residents and responders. Rescue operations involving locals and emergency personnel are ongoing.

Urgent Appeal
An urgent call has gone out to the Ogun State Government, Ogun State Emergency Management Agency, relevant state fire and rescue services, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and all other emergency responders to immediately mobilise fully equipped teams to the location to rescue those still trapped beneath the debris.

Further updates will follow as official information becomes available. Residents in the area are advised to stay clear of the site to allow unhindered access for rescue teams.

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