Funso Doherty Sues FG, a political activist and former Lagos State gubernatorial candidate, has taken legal action against the Federal Government, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and Hitech Construction over alleged irregularities in the awarding and commencement of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project.
In a statement dated August 30, 2024, shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Doherty voiced his grave concerns regarding the project. He argues that the contract violates both the Public Procurement Act and the Environmental Assessment Act, posing serious risks to life, property, and the region’s economic and political stability.
Funso Doherty Sues FG Over Highway Contract
Doherty stated, “Today, we filed an originating summons with the Federal High Court, officially initiating legal proceedings against the Federal Government, the Bureau of Public Procurement, and Hitech Construction. This follows the pre-action notices we previously served, as required by law.
“Our lawsuit challenges the awarding of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road contract and the commencement of construction, asserting that these actions violate the Public Procurement Act and the Environmental Assessment Act. The unlawful actions by the involved government ministries and agencies pose significant risks to life and property in Lagos and beyond. Furthermore, given the project’s vast scope, these actions endanger our economic and political institutions and must not go unchallenged.”
In the lawsuit, Doherty argues that the award of the first two sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project by the Federal Ministry of Works to Hitech Construction is unlawful, as it was not subjected to open competitive bidding, which violates the Public Procurement Act of 2007.
He also contends that the project’s commencement without conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) breaches the Environmental Impact Assessment Act of 1992. Doherty further asserts that the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Bureau of Public Procurement failed in their legal duties to ensure compliance with these critical requirements.
Funso Doherty Sues FG, as part of his legal action, Doherty seeks a court order to nullify the awarding of the project to Hitech Construction. He is also requesting an injunction to halt any further construction until full compliance with the Public Procurement Act and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act is ensured. Additionally, the lawsuit calls for the Federal Ministry of Works to subject the remaining sections of the highway project, which have not yet been awarded, to open competitive bidding as required by law.
