The Lagos State Government has been taken to the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, over a claim made by business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote. The court is being asked to compel the state government to clarify whether Dangote’s statement that he paid $100 million to the Lagos State Government is accurate or false.
If the claim is confirmed, the applicants, De Renaissance Patriots Foundation and Ibeju-Lekki Peoples Forum, are demanding that the Lagos State Government provide a comprehensive and transparent report on the transaction. They seek answers to critical questions, including why no public statement was made regarding such a substantial financial exchange.
The lawsuit aims to bring clarity to Dangote’s claim and promote transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. The court’s decision is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the $100 million payment and how it may have impacted the people of the Ibeju-Lekki community.
The application, filed by De Renaissance Patriots Foundation and Ibeju-Lekki Peoples Forum, cites Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), along with Sections 1, 3, 4, 7, 20, and 24 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
The motion also invokes the inherent jurisdiction of the court. The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Attorney General of Lagos State, the Accountant General of Lagos State, the Permanent Secretary of the Lands Bureau, and the Lagos State Government are named as respondents (1st to 5th).The motion, registered as Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1603/2024 at 1:20 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024, requests that an Order of Mandamus be issued to compel the Lagos State Government to disclose the requested information.
Speaking after the motion was filed, the lead counsel for the applicants, Barrister Yakubu Eleto Esq., stated that the construction of the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki had severely impacted the livelihoods of local residents. Despite this, no compensation was provided to the affected individuals or communities.
Eleto further explained that the previous Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), in 2015, publicly declared that Dangote was brought to Ibeju-Lekki to boost governance and the Lagos State economy. Fashola also stated at the time that the land for the refinery was given to Dangote for free, and that no payment was made.
However, nine years later, Dangote revealed that he had paid $100 million for the land. This disclosure has caused unrest among the people of Ibeju-Lekki, who were neither compensated nor informed about this transaction.
Eleto expressed concern over the lack of transparency, pointing out that the community has faced hardships, including high energy costs, while hearing that a significant amount of money was exchanged for their land. He questioned the whereabouts of the $100 million and emphasized the need for answers.
The case had not yet been assigned to a judge as of its filing date on September 6, 2024. Barrister Eleto noted that Federal High Court cases are typically assigned on Tuesdays and Thursdays, meaning the case would likely be assigned on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
