LAGOS — A Federal High Court Lagos, yesterday, ordered the Attorney General of Lagos State to address the court on its claim that it paid and secured approval from the Federal Government to erect the Lekki-Ikoyi bridge.

Justice Saliu Saidu gave the order at the resumed hearing of a suit filed by a lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa against the Lagos State Government, LASG, challenging its collection of toll on the Lekki-Ikoyi suspension bridge.

Joined in the suit as first and second respondents were the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA.

The Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr. Adeola Ipaye, and the Lagos State Government, were third and fourth respondents respectively.

Ipaye had filed a counter affidavit on November 25, stating that the Lagos State Government had paid for and obtained the approval of the Federal Government to construct the bridge.

Adegboruwa in adopting his originating summons, however, informed the court that he had filed a further reply to the respondent’s counter affidavit, arguing that neither the Federal nor the state government had power to collect toll on the bridge.

The applicant added that although the respondent had argued that an approval was sought and obtained, such approval did not vest power in the state to impose toll on motorists.

He urged the court to adopt all processes filed by the respondents, in support of his originating summons, and also sought leave of the court to re-adopt his arguments.

Justice Saidu in a short ruling, ordered the applicant and all respondents to file a written address on the new facts raised in the third respondent’s counter affidavit, stating that it had obtained approval for the bridge.

The judge also ordered the fourth respondent’s, NIWA, counsel, Mrs. Queen Mba, to file a reply to the third respondent’s counter affidavit, adding that a failure to do so, would be deemed an admission of facts deposed.

Saidu then adjourned the case to January 16, 2014 to enable parties file their addresses.
Adegboruwa had filed the suit on November 26, 2012, seeking an order of injunction, restraining the LASG from collecting any toll or tax in any form whatsoever, from motorists on the bridge.