The Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out a suit by the Okun-Ajah community and other property owners in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area challenging the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Justice Akintayo Aluko ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1488/2024.

The judge transferred it to the Lagos State High Court as the appropriate court to hear the case.

The plaintiffs are Chief Saheed Olukosi (Akogun of Okun-Ajah Community), Noibi Issa Afolayan, Yussuf Odunuga Sulaiman, Olufemi Fasehun and Adeola Tokunbo, all representing Okun-Ajah Community and other Concerned Property Owners at Okun-Ajah Community.

The defendants/objectors are Minister of Works Dave Umahi, Attorney-General of Lagos, Hitech Construction Limited and other agencies.

The plaintiffs’ through their lawyers, A.O. Ajiboye, Esq, and E. C. Okorie had asked the court to stop the project on several grounds.

But the defendants/objectors prayed the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

Justice Aluko held: “Counsel to the plaintiffs made an alternative submission in his written address urging the court not to strike out this suit if the court finds that it lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate over the case.

“Counsel urged the court to transfer this suit to the State High Court instead of striking out same.

“I agree with counsel on this request as this court possesses the needed power and jurisdiction to accede to such prayer.

“This court is fortified under Section 22(2) of the Federal High Court Act which provides thus: ‘No cause or matter shall be struck out by the court merely on the ground that such cause or matter was taken in the court instead of the High Court of a State or of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in which it ought to have been brought, and the Judge of the court before whom such cause or matter is brought may cause such use or matter to be transferred to the appropriate High Court of a State or at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in accordance with Rules of Court to be made under section 44 of this Act.”

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria has expressed support for the Nigerian government’s efforts to pursue justice following the tragic killing of Father Sylvester Okechukwu in Kaduna.

In a statement released today, the mission emphasized the crucial role of Nigeria’s judicial system in ensuring accountability and due process throughout the investigation and trial.

“We welcome the Nigerian government’s interest in pursuing justice and emphasize the critical role of the judicial system in ensuring due process and accountability,” the statement read.

The mission also urged for a transparent legal process, stressing the importance of a fair and swift trial to establish the innocence or guilt of the accused.

The U.S. Mission’s call underlined the need for the rule of law to be upheld to provide justice not only for Father Okechukwu but also for other victims of similar violence across the country.

The statement concluded by highlighting that transparency in legal proceedings would help provide closure for the victims’ families and communities, assuring them that justice would be served.

Rivers Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, has asked judges of the State High Court to go on leave begining from April 14.

He directed the judges to proceed on Easter break and resume on April 29, 2025 when regular court session will begin.

It was gathered that Amadi made the announcement on Thursday in Port Harcourt.

The decision was said to be following the provisions of Order 49, Rule 4B of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2023, he said.

The announcement was reportedly contained in an official statement by the Chief Registrar of the Rivers State High Court, David Dahua-Maduenyi.

The statement, however, said that despite the break, a designated judge would be available to attend to urgent applications and matters during the period.