FG to file defence in Lekki-Ikoyi bridge suit

Culled from Punch.

 

The Federal Government, through the National Inland Waterway Authority, is to file its defence in a suit before a Federal High Court, Lagos, challenging the imposition of tolls on the Lekki-Ikoyi Suspended Bridge.

 

The Federal Government made this request last Friday, a development which was part of the reasons the court was unable to deliver judgment on Tuesday, as it had earlier scheduled.

 

Justice Saliu Seidu, who granted the FG’s request, has, therefore, fixed November 4, 2013, for a mention.

 

A civil rights lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, had filed the suit, asking the court to declare unconstitutional the state government’s construction of a bridge on a federal waterways and the imposition of tolls on users of the same bridge.

 

While  the state government and its Attorney-General, Mr. Ade Ipaye, both defendants in the suit, participated in the hearing of the suit on April 30, 2013, FG, also a defendant, failed to show up.

 

But counsel for the FG, Mrs. Queen Uba, appeared in court on July 5, pleading with the court for more time to file her papers in respect of the case.

 

Uba also noted that her client had not been served with the processes of the state government and the state’s attorney-general, a claim which the court confirmed to be true.

 

The court also heard arguments on the request by Adegboruwa, seeking the court to allow him to file additional facts, which were not available as of April 30, 2013, when the matter was heard and adjourned till July 9 for judgment.

 

Ipaye, who appeared for his office and the state, opposed Adegboruwa’s fresh  application, after which the court adjourned for ruling.

 

After the court adjourned till July 5 for judgment, Governor Babatunde Fashola on May 29 inaugurated  the bridge, declaring it as a toll bridge.

 

Adegboruwa subsequently filed the application seeking the court to permit him file additional affidavit to show that toll collection had commenced on the bridge while judgment on its propriety was being awaited.

 

In an affidavit supporting the application to file additional evidence, he stated that the inauguration of the bridge and the subsequent commencement of toll collection on it, was meant to “undermine and over-reach” the case.