A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ruled that the collection of toll fees on the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge is illegal.
Justice Saliu Saidu gave the ruling in a suit brought before the court by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a lawyer, challenging the legality or otherwise of the decision of the Lagos State government to collect tolls on the newly constructed bridge.
Justice Saidu held that the collection of tolls on the link bridge is null and void since the bridge was not built under Public-Private Partnership, and the state has no business making money off federal landmarks since all navigable waters were under the province of the Federal Government. “Thus, since there is no law supporting the toll fee, it is illegal and should be stopped forthwith,” the Judge ruled.
The Lagos State government in its defense before the court had earlier made reference to sections 27, 28 and 29 of the Lagos State Public Private Partnership, PPP Law, which empowers it to collect the toll. Saidu said, “There is nothing before me to show that the subject matter in this case was as a result of the PPP Law.”
Reacting to the judgment, Adegboruwa commended the courage of the judge. “Coming a day after the same court nullified the imposition of the new number plates, this judgment should be an elixir to all Nigerians to challenge in the court, all illegal taxes and arbitrary charges in the name of road tax, PHCN metre maintenance charge, estimate bills without electricity, and so on,” Adegboruwa said.
However, Ade Ipaye, Counsel to the State government has assured that the judgment would be appealed with urgency.
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