Lagos State Government Sued Over Alleged $100 Million Payment by Aliko Dangote for Ibeju-Lekki Land
The Lagos State Government has been taken to the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, following a lawsuit seeking transparency regarding a recent claim by Alhaji Aliko Dangote that he made a payment of $100 million to the government for land. The lawsuit demands that the state disclose details surrounding the alleged transaction, including how the money was obtained, what it was used for, and whether the local Ibeju-Lekki residents were adequately informed.
The lawsuit, filed by the De Renaissance Patriots Foundation in conjunction with Ibeju-Lekki residents, questions the legitimacy of the land deal and raises concerns over the lack of public disclosure. The plaintiffs argue that if Dangote’s claim is accurate, the government must explain why no public statement was made and clarify which government account the money was paid into.
The case was filed under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), along with sections of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2011. The plaintiffs hope to use these legal provisions to compel the Lagos State Government to reveal details about the land transaction.
Named respondents in the suit include Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Attorney General of Lagos State, the Accountant General of Lagos State, the Permanent Secretary of the Lands Bureau, and the Lagos State Government itself.
The plaintiffs submitted the case to the court under Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1603/2024, on September 6, 2024, and are requesting that the court issue an Order of Mandamus, directing the Lagos State Government to release the requested information. The lawsuit emphasizes the need for transparency, particularly as the land in question was allegedly acquired from the Ibeju-Lekki community, a matter that could affect local livelihoods and development.
The De Renaissance Patriots Foundation’s media office reported the filing, stating that the case seeks to ensure accountability in government dealings, particularly when such significant sums of money and local land rights are involved.
As the case unfolds, more attention is likely to focus on the dealings between Dangote and the Lagos State Government, especially in light of ongoing concerns about land acquisition and compensation in the fast-developing Ibeju-Lekki region, home to several major industrial projects, including the Dangote Refinery.
