FG To File Defence In Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge Suit

The Federal Government, through the National Inland Waterway
Authority, will file its defence in a suit before a Federal High
Court, Lagos, challenging the imposition of tolls on the Lekki-Ikoyi
Suspended Bridge.
Justice Saliu Seidu, who granted the Federal Government'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 ofa 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 herpapers 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 therequest 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
freshapplication, 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.