•Gets court approval to challenge N2.8trn contract
From Godwin Tsa Abuja
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has given the go ahead to a non-governmental organisation, the Incorporated Trustees of Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International to commence legal actions compelling the Minister of Works and Housing, David Umahi to make available to the group, details of the entire procedure adopted and documents evidencing compliance with the Procurement Act, in the award of the N2.8 trillion contract for the construction of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Contract.
Justice Binta Nyako granted the leave sequel to an exparte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1700/2025 filed by counsel to the group, Okere Kingdom which sought for leave to commence legal action for judicial review of the administrative inaction of the Minister of Works and Housing, David Umahi.
Other defendants listed in the suit are President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation, Seyi Tinubu (son of President Tinubu); Chagoury group of Company and Hightech Construction Company.
A certified true copy of the enrolled order dated March 20, 2025 reads:
“That leave is granted to the plaintiff/applicant to commence action for judicial review against administrative inaction of the 1st and 2nd defendants and to seek order of mandamus to compel the 1st and 2nd defendants to perform the statutory duty, mandate and obligation imposed on him under the Freedom of Information Act, to release and make available to the plaintiff/applicant, details of the entire procedure adopted and documents evidencing compliance with the Procurement Act in awarding the contract for the construction of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: as requested in the plaintiff/applicant’s letter dated May 30, 2024, and the reminder letter dated October 9, 2024.”
The order further directed the 1st and 2nd defendants to immediately furnish/issue the plaintiff/applicant the following information:”Copy of the publication/announcement/advertorial placed by the Federal Ministry of Works in the Federal tender publication or any other newspaper in respect of the contract for the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
“A certified true copies of all documents in relation to the contract bidding, such as tax clearance, financial tender and bidding, PENCOM, bill of quantity, environmental impact assessment and other relevant documents in connection with the contract.
“The contract agreement executed/entered between the Federal government and the contractors handling the project.
“Documents evidencing/disclosing the total amount so far paid by the Federal government to the contractors handling the project.”
Meanwhile, Justice Nyako has ordered the plaintiff/ applicant to put the defendants on notice before the adjourned date fixed for May 5, 2025.
In the supporting affidavit, the plaintiff/applicant deposed that President Bola Tinubu who appointed the Minister of Works and Housing, David Umahi, who awarded the contract to his son, Seyi, has a personal interest in the project.
This, the plaintiff/applicant contended, breached provisions of the Code of Conduct for public officers as produced in the First Schedule to the 1999 constitution, which prohibits every public officer from putting himself in a situation where his personal interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities as a public office holder.
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