The Minister for Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has secured the services of six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to represent him in a legal suit concerning the N15 trillion budget allocated for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. The advocates enlisted for his defense include Abiodun Owonikoko, Mahmud Mogaji, Prof. J. Olatoke, Yakubu Ruba, Roy Nweze, and Emmanuel Esene.
This legal action comes as a response to a suit initiated by rights lawyer Olukoya Ogungbeje, who is seeking a court order to compel the Federal Ministry of Works, Minister Umahi, and the Federal Government to disclose specific details about the budget for the 700-kilometer project. The suit was filed under the Freedom of Information Act after the Ministry and its officials failed to provide the requested information within the statutory timeframe.
Ogungbeje’s suit outlines several key reliefs, including:
A Declaration that the refusal or failure of the respondents to furnish information about the N15 trillion budget constitutes a violation of the Freedom of Information Act.
An Order of Mandamus compelling the respondents to fulfill their official duty by providing the requested information regarding the project.
An Order of Mandamus requiring the respondents to provide the information immediately through the applicant’s solicitors.
A Fine of N20 Million against Engr. Umahi for allegedly denying access to the requested information.
Justice Akintayo Aluko, in granting Ogungbeje’s ex-parte motion on June 7, 2024, allowed the applicant to seek judicial review and granted leave to apply for a mandamus order compelling the respondents to disclose the details of the N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar project.
This legal challenge underscores the ongoing demand for transparency and accountability in government financial dealings, especially concerning large-scale infrastructure projects.