A
Federal High Court in Lagos has ruled that the collection of toll on the newly
built Lekki-Ikoyi suspension bridge is illegal and a nullity.
Delivering judgement in a suit filed against the state government by a human
rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Justice Saliu Saidu of the High Court held
that there is no law in Lagos State authorizing the collection of toll on the
bridge by the government.
Declaring the toll collection illegal, null and void, the judge
held that the power to control the Lekki Lagoon and other Federal Navigable
Waterways was within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
He said although the Federal Government has given some authority
to the state to construct the bridge, there is no law authorizing or permitting
the collection of toll fee on it.
“The bridge is not a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative
for which the collection of toll can be allowed.
“The question is: Has the third respondent, Lagos State
Government, made appropriate law to enable it collect toll on the bridge?
“The third respondent only cited Section 27, 28 and 29 of the
Lagos State PPP Law, 2011 as making provision for collection of toll.
“There is nothing before me to show that the subject matter in
this case was as a result of the PPP Law.
“The fact before this court is that the bridge was built with
the third respondent’s money. I agree and uphold the construction of this
bridge as of right.
“The third respondent has power to generate revenue from the
subject matter, but the existing law does not cover it”, said Justice Saidu.
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