Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami have been dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged award of a 190km rail line construction to a Chinese firm without due process.

They were sued alongside Federal Ministry of Transportation and the benefitting firm, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).

Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed fixed February 17, 2022 for hearing of the matter.

Plaintiffs in the suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2021) are: Duluidas Nigeria Limited; Duliz Dredging and Construction Limited; and Consortium of Duluidas Nigeria Limited, Duliz Dredging and Construction Limited/Hebbelyixin Fastener Company Limited, China.

In their writ of summons issued by their lead counsel, James Okoh, the plaintiffs are asking the Federal High Court to cancel the “No Objection” letter issued by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in favour of CCECC for award of the N91.5 billion rail line contract, in breach of procurement laws, and re-issue same in their favour.

The disputed contract is for reconstruction of narrow gauge track from Minna in Niger State to Baro, with extension to Baro River Port, to be completed within 36 months.

The plaintiffs prayed the court for an injunction restraining all the defendants from awarding or purporting to award the contract to the Chinese firm or any third party on the basis of the allegedly flawed bidding process.

In the alternative, they sought an order setting aside any purported award on the basis of the alleged flawed and heavily compromised bid process by the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) with concurrence of other defendants.

They also asked for an order restraining the minister of transportation or any of his agents from presenting the CCECC to Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the purpose of awarding the contract.

They are also asking the court to set aside any purported approval received from FEC, awarding the disputed contract to any other company during the pendency of the suit.

The plaintiffs, who claimed to have quoted a lesser amount of N76.7 billion for execution of the same project during bidding, are alleging bias against them by the minister and undue favouritism towards CCECC.

The plaintiffs, who claimed to have quoted a lesser amount of N76.7 billion for execution of the same project during bidding, are alleging bias against them by the minister and undue favouritism towards CCECC.

MASTAkiLLAh:
As long as it's Amaechi, this case no go get head but I'm just wandering, why is Malami's name always mentioned in every major corruption scandal in Nigeria these days ? They may be mere allegations but the frequency of the mentions is a very big cause for concern and investigations so that Baba's integrity will not be soiled

MASTAkiLLAh:
As long as it's Amaechi, this case no go get head but I'm just wandering, why is Malami's name always mentioned in every major corruption scandal in Nigeria these days ? They may be mere allegations but the frequency of the mentions is a very big cause for concern and investigations so that Baba's integrity will not be soiled

seunmsg:


He is the Attorney General of the Federation. He has to be joined in any suit against the FG.

Truthisunique3:
lol

See logic, ok what of the minister of finance, budget, cbn that approved the money

I forget dem no join the political heavy weight causing some people pains abi

Btw nowhere is this suit against the FG and malami ministry is not in charge of awarding contract

seunmsg:


Ignorance on steroid

So, Ministry of Transport is not FG? FEC is not FG?

Truthisunique3:
Zombie Ministry of transport is a part of FG not the FG itself

Petition against the presidency, petition against the Nigeria state, petition against the judiciary is the one the office of AGF can be summoned in

I give you an example from one of the finest lawyers who have been petitioning government for ages (falana)

When he petitioned fashola ministry on state of bad roads he didn't involve AGF office like you claim must always happen

seunmsg:


The link you provided said Falana sued Federal road safety commission and ministry of works and housing but the headline reads “Falana sues FG”. That should tell you that you can only sue the Federal government in a Nigeria court through a federal MDA.

See, I don’t have the energy to drag anything with you. If you think Malami was joined in the suit because he stole money from a contract that has not even been fully awarded, well and good. Whatever makes you happy, bro.

seunmsg:


He is the Attorney General of the Federation. He has to be joined in any suit against the FG.

seunmsg:


The link you provided said Falana sued Federal road safety commission and ministry of works and housing but the headline reads “Falana sues FG”. That should tell you that you can only sue the Federal government in a Nigeria court through a federal MDA.

See, I don’t have the energy to drag anything with you. If you think Malami was joined in the suit because he stole money from a contract that has not even been fully awarded, well and good. Whatever makes you happy, bro.