A Federal High Court in Lagos has further
adjourned till June 25, 2015, a suit filed
against the Lagos State Government by the
Nigerian Railway Corporation.
The corporation sued Lagos State
Government, eight years ago, over alleged
wanton demolition of its properties at Iddo
Foreshore on Sunday January 1, 2006.

The corporation, which claimed that the
allegedly demolished structures had
drastically brought down its revenue
generation capacity, asked the court to
declare the action of Lagos State
Government as unlawful.

But Lagos, in its counter-affidavit, while
urging the court to discountenance the
NRC’s claims, said the structures it
demolished were erected in contravention
of the state’s Town Planning Law and had
constituted nuisance.

One Felix Adeoye, who deposed to the
counter-affidavit filed by the state, listed the
structures demolished to include about 90
shanties, 10 kiosks or containers, 20
abandoned long vehicles and seven existing
unapproved bungalows.

The deponent, who described all the
structures as illegal, said they were erected
in violation of the Urban and Regional
Planning Laws of Lagos State.
But NRC, in its suit marked FHC/L/40/07,
sought a declaration of the court that the
Lagos State Government and its agents
could not exercise power over the
structures.

The corporation argued that the structures
were subject to the approval of the Federal
Ministry of Works and Housing pursuant to
the provisions of the Nigerian Urban and
Regional Act, 1992.

One Afadame Ashimizo, who deposed to
the affidavit filed by NRC, claimed that
corporation had been under threats of
litigation by its various tenants whose
properties were allegedly demolished.

The corporation sought an order of
perpetual injunction restraining the
defendants from further trespassing on its
properties located on the parcel of land
designated ASC/013/D/LA/2006.
Joined as defendants were the Lagos State
Government, Lagos State Physical Planning
and Development Authority, the Lagos State
Commissioner for Physical Planning and
Development and the Attorney General of
the state.

The matter which was filed before Justice
Ramat Murtala-Nyako since 2007 is now
before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, who
adjourned further hearing till June 25,
2015.

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