A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a N1 billion lawsuit challenging the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, delivering a blow to the plaintiffs—Chief Emeka Jackson Mewu and 26 others—who also face a ₦6 million penalty.
Presiding Judge, Justice A. Allagoa, struck out the case on Monday, June 23, 2025, citing procedural missteps and confirming that legal issues had already been joined between parties.
The plaintiffs, who sued the Federal Ministry of Works and five others, had attempted to withdraw the suit via a Notice of Discontinuance, citing technical flaws in their filing.
However, defence lawyers, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Y.A.H. Ruba, opposed the move, insisting that since responses had already been filed—including counter affidavits and preliminary objections—the plaintiffs could not abandon the case without first securing the court’s leave.
Ruba pressed for dismissal over a mere strikeout and requested ₦50 million in costs.
Joining the demand for sanctions, lawyers for the Lagos State Government, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other defendants claimed substantial legal expenses and sought compensation ranging from ₦20 million to ₦30 million.
Justice Allagoa agreed that the plaintiffs had violated court rules but allowed the discontinuance as an irregularity.
However, he ruled that the case be dismissed and imposed a N1 million cost per defendant—totaling ₦6 million.
The failed legal challenge and ensuing penalties now mark a significant win for the Federal Government and other stakeholders in the coastal highway project, which has faced strong scrutiny over environmental and compensation concerns.
