Coastal highway: Diaspora investors urge FG to obey court order
Some Nigerian investors in the diaspora have called on the Federal Government to comply with a court order concerning the alleged diversion of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway through the Okun Ajah area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro earlier reported that residents of the Okun Ajah area protested against a proposed diversion of the highway route through their community.
Among those affected are diaspora investors who have put funds into the Winhomes Estates project in the area.
The investors have since sought legal redress in court over the matter.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Chief Executive Officer of Winhomes Global Services Limited, Stella Okengwu, in a statement on Monday, claimed that a valid court order to suspend ongoing construction along the diverted route was allegedly disobeyed.
She said, “It is unacceptable to trample on the rights of law-abiding citizens who are contributing to Nigeria’s economy. The continued defiance of court orders not only undermines our justice system but also paints Nigeria as a country where impunity goes unchecked.
“Despite a pending court order mandating the preservation of the status quo, construction activities have continued on the disputed site, allegedly on the orders of the Minister. This is nothing short of contempt for the judiciary.”
The legal dispute is currently pending before the Federal High Court in Lagos, with Justice Akintayo Aluko presiding over the matter.
Filed under Suit No: FHC/L/AMC/1803/2024, the case revolves around allegations of trespass and names several key defendants, including the Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Works, the Controller of Works in Lagos, Hitech Construction Company, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State.
The court addressed a preliminary objection filed by the first to third defendants, who are challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit. Justice Aluko emphasised that the question of jurisdiction must be resolved before the court can consider any substantive reliefs, including the issuance of an injunction.
The court also issued a warning to all parties, cautioning against any actions that could interfere with the judicial process or undermine the effectiveness of the final judgment. Justice Aluko stressed the importance of preserving the “res”, the subject matter of the dispute, pending the resolution of the case.
According to Okengwu, despite the court’s clear directives, the diversion and construction work on the coastal highway continued, leaving the investors in the Winhomes project in a state of uncertainty and financial anxiety.
Okengwu who reiterated that the development represented an estimated $250 million investment, vowed to pursue justice to its logical conclusion.
She also urged the federal government and relevant authorities to ensure that no individual is allowed to operate above it.
