News
Costal Project: Court Strikes Out Suit Filed By Indigenes Of Okun-Ajah Community
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.
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
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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)
News
Tinubu Orders Defence Minister To Relocate To Kebbi State Over Abduction Of 25 School Girls
President Bola Tinubu has asked the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday.
Matawalle, who was formerly governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in the state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.
READ ALSO:One Of 25 Abducted Kebbi Schoolgirls Escapes
Gunmen abducted 24 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, around 4am on Monday.
Matawalle, who is expected to arrive in Birni-Kebbi on Friday, gained some experience in dealing with banditry and mass kidnapping during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.
On 26 February 2021, armed bandits abducted 279 female students aged between 10 and 17 at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, a boarding school in Jangebe, in Zamfara State. The bandits released all the hostages on 2 March 2021.
President Tinubu had postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, as he awaited further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
News
Nigeria Now Deadliest Place On Earth To Be Christian – Nigerian Bishop Laments
Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Benue State, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, says Nigeria has become the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian.
Bishop Anagbe made this statement on Thursday while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’, CPC
Speaking before the US Congress, the Bishop said that the controversy escalated after President Trump designated Nigeria on the CPC list on 31 October 2025.
READ ALSO:Genocide: U.S. Lawmaker Alleges Tinubu Lying, Protecting Own Interest
He alleged systematic persecution of Christians in the country, saying “Attacks by Fulani militants and Boko Haram have intensified, targeting Christian communities with impunity.
“More believers are killed there annually than in the rest of the world combined, yet perpetrators face little accountability.
“Violence is spreading, displacing millions and destroying farmland, creating a humanitarian crisis worsened by food insecurity. Without urgent intervention, Christianity risks being wiped out in Northern and Middle Belt Nigeria.
“Nigeria, already designated a Country of Particular Concern, must now be met with decisive action,” he said.
News
Christian Genocide: Back Nigeria CPC Redesignation With Action, Nigerian Bishop Begs Trump
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, in Benue State, Wilfred Anagbe, has appealed to President Donald Trump of the United States to match its renewed designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, CPC, with concrete action.
Bishop Anagbe made this call on Thursday, while testifying before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, which is investigating Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a CPC
He said, “On behalf of millions of Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora, we want to thank President Donald Trump for his bold leadership in designating Nigeria as a CPC. I commend you and this subcommittee for ongoing efforts on this matter.
READ ALSO:Trump’s Military Threat To Nigeria Reckless – US Congresswoman
“It is a vital step, but must be backed by serious action. One, use the Magnitsky Act for targeted sanctions against Nigerian government officials and others tolerating or condoning Islamic violence in the country.”
The cleric also called on lawmakers to tie security and humanitarian aid to measurable improvements.
“Expand humanitarian support for IDPs. The IDPs must return to their ancestral homes, and this requires security guarantees from the Nigerian Government,” he said.
READ ALSO:FG Unveils New Counter-terrorism Strategy
Bishop Anagbe told lawmakers that many Christian victims in Benue remain traumatised, adding that one priest he knows cannot walk after surviving a terrorist attack.
‘Deborah Samuel’s murderers remain free’ – US defends designation of Nigeria as CPC
He accused the federal government of downplaying casualty figures and abandoning survivors of repeated assaults.”
Anagbe also argued that President Donald Trump’s earlier CPC designation “aimed to stabilise Nigeria” but “worsened the safety of Christians.”
Metro4 days agoJUST IN: Navy Officer Who Had Altercation With Wike Reportedly Escapes Assassination Attempt
Sports3 days agoNigeria Coach Blames ‘Voodoo’ After World Cup Hopes Crushed
- Metro2 days ago
One Of 25 Abducted Kebbi Schoolgirls Escapes
- Metro4 days ago
Delta: Father In Police Net After Sleeping With Daughters For Seven Years
- Metro2 days ago
JUST IN: Many Injured As Terrorists Ambush Nigerian Troops On Mission To Rescue Kebbi Schoolgirl
- News3 days ago
Newswatch Co-founder, Dan Agbese, Is Dead
- News3 days ago
198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class
- Headline3 days ago
Genocide: U.S. Lawmaker Alleges Tinubu Lying, Protecting Own Interest
- News3 days ago
Legal Practitioner Backs Conversion Of ATBU To Conventional University
- News3 days ago
Tinubu Addressing Development, Economic Growth, Peace, Security In N’Delta – PAP Boss
