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Costal Project: Court Strikes Out Suit Filed By Indigenes Of Okun-Ajah Community

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The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has struck out a suit against the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Costal Road project, filed by some indigenes and other concerned property owners of Okun-Ajah Community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state.

Justice Akintayo Aluko ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction and promptly transferred the suit to the Lagos State High Court as the appropriate court to hear the case.

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The plaintiffs in the suit are Chief Saheed Olukosi (Akogun of Okun-Ajah Community); Noibi Issa Afolayan, Yussuf Odunuga Sulaiman, Olufemi Fasehun, and Adeola Tokunbo, all representing Okun-Ajah Community and other concerned property owners in the community.

The defendants/objectors are the Honourable Minister, Dr. Dave Umahi; Engineer Olukorede Keisha; Federal Ministry Of Works & Housing; Attorney-General Of Lagos State; Commissioner For Waterfront Infrastructure Development; Surveyor-General Of Lagos State; General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority; General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency and Hitech Construction Limited.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Tinubu Arrives In Lagos To Inaugurate Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway

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Through their lawyers, the plaintiffs had asked the court to stop the project on several grounds.

They sought the following reliefs: “An order to set aside acts of encroachment on their landed properties, setting aside designs, plans of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road on their parcels of land.

“An order restraining the 1st-3rd and 9th Defendants from encroaching, trespassing, and diverting the construction of the Lagos – Calabar Coastal Road into their land.”

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The project will be completed in eight years, according to the Federal Government.

The plaintiffs also made claims for damages for acts of trespassing on the land in dispute.

But the defendants/objectors asked the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

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READ ALSO: [BREAKING] Coastal Highway: FG To Pay N2.75bn Compensation Today

Specifically, the first, second, third, and ninth defendants/objectors, in their separate preliminary objections filed through their lawyers, asked the court to strike out or dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction.

The defendants/objectors premised their preliminary objections on seven grounds, supported by eight eight-paragraph affidavits.

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Based on the defendants/objectors’ preliminary objections, the plaintiffs filed a counter affidavit of 11 paragraphs.

Delivering his ruling on the arguments canvassed by parties, Justice Aluko held that: “… coming from the foregoing, the issues in the two NPOs of the 1st – 3rd defendants and that of the 9th defendant are resolved in favour of the objectors against the plaintiffs.

“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.

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READ ALSO: FEC Approves $11.17bn Rail Project To Link All Coastal Cities

“Counsel urged the court to transfer this suit to the State High Court instead of striking out the same.

“I agree with counsel on this request as this court possesses the needed power and jurisdiction to accede to such prayer.

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“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 case 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 Defendants/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.
(Channels TV)

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Delta Govt, Communities Trade Words Over Infrastructure Deficit

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The Delta State Government and some communities have disagreed over infrastructure deficits in their areas.

The Isoko and Udu communities raised an alarm and protested, demanding more government attention in their localities.

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While the Udu people protested about being sidelined in recent infrastructure approvals by the Delta State Executive Council, Isoko youths claimed they had been neglected.

However, the state government described their allegations and agitations as misleading and not reflective of the administration’s equitable development agenda.

READ ALSO:Why Peter Obi Must Get Security Clearance Before Coming To Edo — APC Chair, Tenebe

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Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, responding to complaints from residents about the pace of work and the perceived absence of contractors on-site, explained that the inspection visit was unannounced to allow for an honest assessment.

He reaffirmed the commitment of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to equitable development across all parts of the state, dismissing claims that Udu LGA has been sidelined.

Speaking during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects in Udu, particularly the Bezi Road and drainage project linking Aladja to Ogbe-Ijoh, headquarters of Warri South West LGA, Izeze said the presence of the administration in Udu is a clear demonstration of its dedication to inclusive infrastructure development.

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We are here to assess the progress on this critical road. The initial design of the road failed to anticipate the volume of water in the area. However, upon discovering the inadequacy of the original drainage plan, the government promptly approved an additional 465 metres of drains to channel water to a nearby natural canal along the Ogbe-Ijoh–Aladja axis,” Izeze stated.

READ ALSO:Delta Commissioner Reveals Reason Two-storey Building Collapsed In Asaba

Again, Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration has continued to prioritise infrastructure development, healthcare, and education across all parts of Delta State, including the Isoko axis.

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Aniagwu emphasised that, contrary to the claims, the Isoko nation has benefited immensely from the administration’s MORE Agenda, with over 53 strategic projects either completed, ongoing, or approved across Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Areas.

He said the projects cut across road infrastructure, internal road networks in rural and urban communities, healthcare upgrades, and significant interventions in tertiary education.
(DAILY POST)

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Lagos Doctors To Begin 3-day Warning Strike

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Medical doctors under the employ of the Lagos State government on Saturday declared a three-day warning strike in protest against what they described as an “illegal and disrespectful” salary deduction by the Lagos State Government.

The medical doctors under the aegis of the Medical Guild said the warning strike is set to begin from 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, to 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, if the government fails to meet their demands.

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They said the decision to embark on the industrial action came after all avenues for dialogue and reconciliation were exhausted without positive results.

Addressing journalists during a press conference held at the Guild’s secretariat in Lagos, Chairman of the Medical Guild, Dr. Japhet Olugbogi, said the crisis stemmed from a unilateral salary deduction implemented by the state government in April 2025, which affected all medical and dental practitioners in its employ.

READ ALSO:Doctors Warm Up For Nationwide Strike

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The development came to us as a rude shock. Our members were visibly aggrieved and agitated. Although many clamoured for an immediate strike, the officers’ committee chose the path of civility, pursuing advocacy and diplomatic engagement with relevant government agencies,” Olugbogi stated.

According to him, the funds were eventually reversed following what he described as “spirited intervention and strategic engagement,” and a six-member conciliation committee was set up, comprising three representatives each from the government and the Guild.

We presented all relevant documents clarifying the calculation of the CONMESS salary scale, and it was agreed that the status quo would be maintained while the government deliberated internally and returned with a final position,” Olugbogi said.

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However, in what the Guild termed a breach of trust, the Lagos State Treasury Office in July again implemented a salary cut, prompting the Guild to declare a warning strike set to begin from 8:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, to 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2025, if the government fails to meet their demands.

READ ALSO:Why Peter Obi Should Inform Okpebholo Before Visiting Edo – Oshiomhole

The Guild is demanding the immediate reversal of the July salary deductions. It is also calling for the full payment of the 12-month revised CONMESS arrears owed to honorary consultants at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH. In addition, the Guild resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum to the state government after the warning strike, and if the demands remain unmet at the end of the ultimatum, an indefinite strike will commence.

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Olugbogi criticised the government for its actions, especially at a time of economic hardship and mass emigration of health professionals, popularly referred to as the japa syndrome.

Let it be known that the most senior doctor in Lagos State employment does not earn up to $1,100.

“And yet, the government, in its wisdom, feels that reducing this meagre income is the best way to motivate the health workforce.”

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READ ALSO:FG Suspends Circular On Doctors’ Allowances

He called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene and prevent a total collapse of the state’s healthcare system.

“We are by this medium calling on our compassionate Governor to kindly intervene to ensure the reversal of the illegally deducted funds,” he said.

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Over 385 doctors attended the emergency congress where the strike decision was ratified.
Also, the Guild’s Secretary, Dr. Adekunle Akinade, affirmed the union’s readiness to escalate action if their grievances are not addressed.

 

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Why Only South East Deserves New State – Ozekhome

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Constitutional and human rights lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN, on Saturday, maintained that most of the states that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria today are not viable and, as such, saw no reason why more states should be created in the country.

Ozekhome, who blamed the condition of the states on the “skewed federal template” being operated in the form of a unitary system of government, called for a complete overhaul of the 1999 Constitution.

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According to him, the present constitution is not only cumbersome, with the centre vested with too much power and too many responsibilities, but was also a product of the military class, which has ruled Nigeria for quite some time.

READ ALSO:UNICAL VC Selection Thwarted As Court Halts Process, Transfers Case To Abuja

He spoke at a “Walk for Wellness” campaign embarked upon by the Mike Ozekhome Chambers (MOC) in Abuja on Saturday.

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Some of us are now saying rather than create more states, we should collapse the present structure into about six geopolitical zones, which should serve as regional governments.

“A parliamentary system of government operating on a regional basis will be more beneficial to the people because it will catalyse development and competitiveness among the regions. Right now, no state is competing; all of them just go to Abuja at the end of the month to take from the federation account to share,” he said.

READ ALSO:AEDC Gives Reason For Blackout In Parts Of Abuja

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The senior lawyer lamented that Nigeria has become a sharing country that is not baking anything because “they don’t care or even know how to bake anything.”

According to him, while Nasarawa has the highest mineral deposits of over 36 items, followed by Plateau with 28 items, with Sokoto and Kaduna States in that order, the entire country still relies on crude oil, which is fast losing its value across the world.

I will suggest that if we are to retain the state structure, we should retain the states as federating units, thus having two tiers of government,” he said, leaving local government to the states.

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He added: “The only state I will have said should be created right now should be in the South East, to bring them to equity with other geopolitical zones in the country.”

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