The Lagos State Government has been sues to the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, where it is being urged to disclose information regarding the validity of Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s recent assertion that he made a payment of $100 million for land to the government.
The local residents are requesting that, if this claim is accurate, Lagos must provide a comprehensive explanation of how such a significant sum was obtained, “in exchange for the poor Ibeju-Lekki people’s land and why there was no public statement to the effect, and then to state which account the money was paid to and what it was used for.”
This request is outlined in an initial motion filed under Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, as well as under sections 1, 3, 4, 7, 20, and 24 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, and the inherent jurisdiction of the Honourable Court concerning the application submitted by De Renaissance Patriots Foundation and Ibeju-Lekki.
The applicants included the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Attorney General of Lagos State; the Accountant General of Lagos State; the Permanent Secretary of the Lands Bureau in Lagos State, along with the Lagos State Government, as parties in the case.
As reported by the Media Office of the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, the court has officially registered the motion under Suit No FHC/L/CS/1603/2024, which was submitted on Friday, September 6, 2024.
The motion requests that the court issue an Order of Mandamus directed at the respondents, aimed at compelling the Lagos State Government to provide the information sought by the applicants.
