[size=14pt]Activist sues Lagos over proposed N500 toll on Lekki-Ikoyi bridge[/size]

The lawyer said the proposed N500 toll fee on the Lekki-Ikoyi Suspended Bridge is illegal.

A lawyer and human rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, on Monday sued the Lagos State Government over the proposed collection of N500 toll on the newly constructed Lekki-Ikoyi Suspended Bridge.

In the suit No. FHC/L/CS/1405/2012 before a Federal High Court in Lagos, Mr. Adegboruwa is seeking an injunction restraining the government from collecting any toll from motorists on the bridge.

The activist stated in the originating summons that reports on the proposed toll collection was published by the Guardian newspaper of October 8.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, and the National Inland Water ways Authority are joined in the suit as co-defendants.

The originating summons was supported by a 34-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the applicant.

Mr. Adegboruwa argued that the toll of N500 per vehicle is uncalled for in view of the hardship, hunger and unemployment in Nigeria.

He claimed that the bridge was built on a federal navigable waterway belonging to the Federal Government.

Mr. Adegboruwa also wants the court to determine whether the LASG has the power to erect any structure such as a bridge on the Lagos Lagoon and the Lekki Lagoon which, he said, were categorised by law as federal navigable waterways.

He also wants the court to determine whether the state government is competent to impose any toll or tax on such a bridge.

He argues that collection of such a toll or tax from Nigerians contravenes their fundamental right to free movement.

Also, the lawyer claims that the imposition of such a levy on road users will prevent them from using the bridge and constitute discrimination and violation of the rights of the road users.

The applicant seeks a declaration that the imposition of a toll, fee or tariff on road users is illegal and inconsistent with the Nigeria’s Constitution.

The case is yet to be assigned to a judge.

NAN

naptu2:

http://premiumtimesng.com/regional/108723-activist-sues-lagos-over-proposed-n500-toll-on-lekki-ikoyi-bridge.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=activist-sues-lagos-over-proposed-n500-toll-on-lekki-ikoyi-bridge

geez*:
Just an attention seeking hungry lawyer

geez*:
Just an attention seeking hungry lawyer

Horus:

Ikoyi-Lekki Bridge

obailala: When our dracula politicians read comments like yours, all they do is smile and pop some more champagne cos they know the people they rule are idiots.

Tolling isn't much of a problem but I think N500 is way out of order especially considering the Nigerian economy

peckhamboi:

Wow impressive

Is that the real picture and has it been completed?

OneDemola: The reason toll charge is high is because it is not supposed to compete with the LCC toll (that one is another ridiculous story on its own). The honest truth is that this lekki-ikoyi bridge is supposed to be seen as an 'optional' route, not an 'alternative- just to speak to the logic of the project.

Kobojunkie: Naira 500(per day) in a country where minimum wage is still at about Naira 18,000 per month? Na wa oo!

geez*:
Just an attention seeking hungry lawyer

Jerie:

Stray sp.erms like you are one of the reasons I believe condoms should be free and abortion should be legalized.

acidtalk: REVOLUTION! REVOLUTION!! REVOLUTION!!!

That's all Nigeria needs to get better.

Where else on this earth except Nigeria will the government use Tax payers money to do road and still fine the same people for the usage of it not like it was a consetioning deal or private partnership deal..

A country filled with so much riches but yet the people drown in so much poverty.

naptu2:
Is not better that now that government sold bond and made use of the proceed to make life easier for people? And where do people expect the government to meet its interest obligation on the loan it has taken to achieve the feat?


I don't know where he got the 500 naira figure from, but I always expected that the toll on the bridge would be higher than the toll on the expressway.

The idea being that: -

1) You can take the alternative route around Oniru Estate if you don't want to pay any tolls (the road is narrower).

2) You can take the expressway and pay the toll (Commercial buses/Danfo = 80 naira, cars = 120, SUV = 150, Trucks = 250 & 350). Most people use the expressway.

3) You can use the bridge, which would be much faster, but more expensive. Commercial buses would not be allowed to use the bridge (they are not allowed into Lekki Phase 1).

acidtalk: REVOLUTION! REVOLUTION!! REVOLUTION!!!

That's all Nigeria needs to get better.

Where else on this earth except Nigeria will the government use Tax payers money to do road and still fine the same people for the usage of it not like it was a consetioning deal or private partnership deal..

A country filled with so much riches but yet the people drown in so much poverty.

geez*:
Just an attention seeking hungry lawyer

geez*:
Just an attention seeking hungry lawyer

kulikuli26: Honestly it beat my imagination hw folks come here praising fashola cos for me lagos state gets so much interms of revenue which doesn't match the devt on ground.the state govt enter concession agreement to build major roads and public utilities are even privatised,yet the state rank high interms of debts,den u ask ursef where is the money goinwe must begin to ask questions its obvious this is not adding up at all.

koruji: When we say sue the Lagos state government for unjust laws we are not talking about this type.
Government has the power to charge a rate on a service they provide.
[size=14pt]That the government used tax payer's money to build infrastructure doesn't mean it should be free!!![/size]

In fact, this particular road was a public-private deal - this is however besides the point.

The only argument would be if the charge can be shown to be non-comparable to similar services all over the country or in comparable nations.
That would be hard to prove.

I am waiting for someone serious to sue over that law prescribing a 1-year jail for driving against traffic.