Lawsuit Against N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Project Struck Out for Lack of Jurisdiction

..Struck Out for Lack of Jurisdiction, Transferred to Lagos State High Court

April 4, 2025 (Naija247news) – A lawsuit challenging the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project has been struck out for lack of jurisdiction by the Federal High Court and subsequently transferred to the Lagos State High Court for proper adjudication. The case, filed by Chief Saheed Olukosi (Akogun of Okun-Ajah Community) and other concerned property owners from the Okun-Ajah community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area, sought legal redress over alleged encroachment on their land by the project.

The plaintiffs argued that the construction of the highway, part of the N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project, threatened their land, and they sought a judicial review to nullify the road designs and plans affecting their properties. They also sought an injunction to prevent the defendants—including the Minister of Works, Dr. Dave Umahi, and Hitech Construction Limited—from proceeding with the construction without addressing their concerns, alongside claims for damages.

Legal Objections and Ruling

The defendants, including Dr. Dave Umahi and Hitech Construction Limited, argued that the Federal High Court did not have the jurisdiction to hear the case. They filed preliminary objections based on several legal grounds. In response, the plaintiffs filed a counter-affidavit, but the court ruled in favor of the defendants, affirming that it lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter.

Justice Ruling: The court upheld the objections of the defendants, stating that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over the case. However, citing Section 22(2) of the Federal High Court Act, the judge transferred the case to the Lagos State High Court for adjudication instead of striking it out entirely.

“This court has no jurisdiction to adjudicate over the subject matter in this case,” the ruling affirmed, before transferring the case to the Lagos State High Court.

Background of the Project and Controversy

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project, a flagship infrastructure initiative under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, spans approximately 700 kilometers and is expected to cost an estimated N15 trillion. The project has drawn attention due to its scale and the secrecy surrounding its implementation. Journalists from various media outlets have reported being denied access to the construction sites, raising questions about the transparency, funding, and environmental impact of the project.

In March 2025, it was reported that journalists were barred from visiting the construction sites of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, with security personnel citing “orders from above” and refusing access to reporters attempting to assess the progress.

Earlier reports had also raised questions regarding the cost of the project, with Minister Umahi addressing claims made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar about the cost per kilometer of the road. Umahi clarified that each kilometer would cost N4 billion, contrary to Atiku’s claim of N8 billion per kilometer.

Ongoing Concerns and Questions
The secrecy surrounding the project’s progress, combined with the legal challenges and the lack of transparency, continues to fuel public skepticism about its execution and its potential economic and environmental impacts.

As the case is now in the hands of the Lagos State High Court, stakeholders and the public will be closely watching how the court handles the challenge and the potential implications for the broader Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project.

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Reporting by Ifeoluwa Okonkwo in Lagos, Nigeria.