In a dramatic legal battle, landowners along the proposed N15.36tn Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government (FG). The contentious project aims to connect Lagos to Cross River, spanning approximately 700 kilometers of coastal terrain.
The plaintiffs, represented by a consortium of legal experts, allege that the FG violated their property rights during the highway’s construction. They claim that the procurement process lacked transparency and proper compensation mechanisms. In an exclusive interview, Chief Adeola Ogunbiyi, one of the affected landowners, expressed his frustration:
“Our ancestral lands are being taken away without fair compensation. We’ve lived here for generations, and suddenly, bulldozers arrive, destroying our homes and livelihoods. Where is justice?”
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, defended the project during a press briefing in Abuja. He emphasized that the highway adhered to all legal requirements and procedural norms:
“The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a vital infrastructure project that will boost economic growth and regional connectivity. We followed due process, and any claims to the contrary will be addressed in court.”
However, experts have raised questions about the project’s environmental impact and its potential disruption to local ecosystems. Dr. Ifeoma Okonkwo, an environmental scientist, posed a critical query:
“What measures are in place to mitigate the ecological consequences of this massive highway? We cannot sacrifice our environment for development.”
As the legal battle unfolds, the nation watches closely. Will justice prevail for the landowners, or will the highway proceed at their expense? Only time—and the courts—will tell.
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