The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lekki

  • NICON Town residents urge court on trial over land

    NICON Town residents urge court on trial over land

    A procedural clash has emerged in the protracted land ownership dispute in NICON Town Estate, Lekki, as residents and plot owners urged a Lagos State High Court to reject the originating summons filed by Harris Dredging Limited and Nicon Town Management Company Plc.

    The plot allottees prayed the court presided by Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi to convert the suit into a writ of summons to allow full pleadings and oral evidence.

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    The defendants comprising the Incorporated Trustees of the NICON Town Residents and Plot Owners’ Association and 14 individual homeowners told the court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square(TBS) that the claimants’ chosen procedure is unsuitable for a dispute steeped in allegations of fraud, conflicting documents, disputed authority and competing historical claims to the land.

    Harris Dredging and NTMC instituted Suit marked LD/5141/LM/2024, against the 15 defendants, seeking confirmation of Harris Dredging’s title to a 5,899.31sqm parcel of land located within the Community Centre Zone of NICON Town.

    They also asked the court to declare that their 2010 Deed of Sub-Lease, registered as Instrument No. 76/76/2349 at the Lagos State Land Registry, remains valid and enforceable.

  • Lagos to Lekki residents: your borehole water contaminated

    Lagos to Lekki residents: your borehole water contaminated

    Lagos State Government has warned residents and property developers in the Lekki axis that boreholes drilled in the area are likely yielding faeces-contaminated water.

    The government said the contamination is the result of years of unregulated drilling of shallow boreholes, and absence of proper wastewater management in the fast-developing corridor.

    Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources Mahmood Adegbite, stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting, stating that many residents in Lekki are unknowingly consuming what can only be described as faeces-infested water.

    Adegbite said the practice of drilling boreholes without adherence to environmental guidelines has resulted in dangerous levels of water contamination in most parts of the Lekki peninsula.

    He warned that the groundwater has been compromised by proximity to septic tanks, poor drainage systems, and a high water table, making most boreholes a health hazard.

     The government’s warning is backed by findings from the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission which in recent months has sealed several water factories in the Lekki area for failing to meet minimum sanitary and quality standards.

    Laboratory tests conducted on borehole samples from the area showed high levels of total coliform bacteria, unacceptably low pH levels, and other indicators of raw sewage infiltration.

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    Residents have confirmed these findings, with many complaining that their borehole water is brown, emits foul odours, and is unsafe for drinking or cooking.

    Some households have resorted to buying sachet and bottled water for all domestic consumption, while relying on tanker-supplied water for washing and bathing.

    The government has called on residents to desist from indiscriminate drilling of boreholes and to ensure that any borehole project is carried out in line with state regulations.

    Under the existing water laws in Lagos State, no borehole can be drilled without a permit from the appropriate regulatory authorities. The government also emphasised that drilling below the recommended depth or too close to septic systems increases the risk of groundwater pollution.

  • Pomp as street soccer lights up Lekki

    Pomp as street soccer lights up Lekki

    Two upwardly mobile football enthusiasts have gone into street soccer promotion as a way of helping talented young players in Lagos State.

    The Funturf pitch in Lekki, Lagos, was aglow as some youths exhibited their talents during the yearly football fiesta organised by Tobi Egberongbe and Rashid Alarape of Mifland Company.

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    Ajiran Footbal Club beat Royal Rumble 1-0 to lift the trophy in the final. AMA FC defeated Elegushi FC 1-0 to clinch the third place.

    Egberongbe and Alarape said the tourney was their own way of sponsoring a sport they are passionate about.

    They promised a bigger and better package for the players next year.

  • Fed Govt backs 17m Lekki channel to drive transshipment

    Fed Govt backs 17m Lekki channel to drive transshipment

    To strengthen Nigeria’s bid as West Africa’s transshipment leader, the federal government has approved increasing the Lekki Deep Seaport channel depth from 16.5 to 17 metres, with a long-term goal of 19 metres.

    Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, who announced the development during his first official visit to Lekki Port over the weekend, described the project as a crucial step to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

    “The rise in throughput volume at Lekki Port is exciting to us,” Dantsoho declared. 

    “Lekki’s capacity to berth super post-Panamax vessels and deliver rapid cargo and vessel turnaround positions it as a game-changer for Nigeria’s export competitiveness, particularly for agro-allied products.”

    The NPA boss said the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, secured presidential approval for the dredging following years of stakeholder consultations. 

    The project will be executed under a strategic partnership with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

    He urged Lekki Port to consolidate its transshipment volumes to serve Nigeria and landlocked neighbouring countries, citing steady growth in transshipment traffic as a signal of regional demand.

    “This is something that we have been working towards, something that we’ve been discussing for almost two or three years. And finally, we give God the glory that it has happened. 

    “We syndicated a strategic partnership agreement with CHEC to undertake the dredging in the overriding interest of trade facilitation.”

    “The port’s efficiency is driving steady increases in transshipment numbers, meeting the maritime needs of neighboring countries and supporting NPA’s goal of achieving economies of scale. This enhanced competitiveness fuels demand, boosts foreign exchange inflows, and contributes significantly to Nigeria’s year-on-year trade surplus,” he noted

    To support continued growth, Dantsoho listed five key initiatives, including deepening the channel, strengthening automation, deploying the Port Community System, completing a hydrographic survey of the Lekki channel, and pushing for broader digital transformation across all Nigerian ports.

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    “Luckily for you, and most likely because you are the most current or the latest port that we have in Nigeria, it is expected naturally that all those things that are required for a modern port should be here,” he said, lauding Lekki Port’s technological edge.

    Speaking on revenue concerns, Dantsoho addressed requests from Lekki Port management for a reduction in Ship Dues. He explained that while cost reliefs were under consideration, the NPA also faced high dollar-denominated expenses on navigational equipment.

    He added that once the National Single Window is fully deployed and most port transactions become paperless, revenue generation will triple, paving the way for possible downward reviews of port charges.

    “In as much as it’s necessary to lessen the burden of Lekki Port payments to government, Lekki Port should also know that we need to have more money to be able to buy more of these things and also ensure that personnel who are running them are also well paid.”

    “When the Single Window is finally deployed, and 95 percent of port processes become paperless, the revenue at the ports will triple. Electronic transactions will completely or near completely eliminate unreceipted payments,” Dantsoho added.

    Earlier, Managing Director of Lekki Port, Wang Qiang, appealed to the NPA for policy reforms, including “adjustment of the tariff structure to reflect service costs and inflation, and a reduction in Ship Dues specifically for large vessels and feeders to enhance port competitiveness.”

    He also requested night pilotage services to enable 24/7 port operations.

    Following his visit to Lekki Port, the NPA MD also toured the $19.5 billion Dangote Refinery complex nearby, where he met with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.

  • Ikeja, Island, Lekki record highest crime rates in Lagos

    Ikeja, Island, Lekki record highest crime rates in Lagos

    Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki areas are the top three with the highest crime rates in Lagos State.

    The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN) gave the figures during the ministerial press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.

    Citing statistics from the Lagos State Criminal Information System (LCIS), the Attorney-General said the data highlights growing concerns about public safety and criminal activity in key urban centers of the state.

    “Between January 2024 and May 2025, the top three crime locations in Lagos State were Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki,” Pedro stated.

    He further said the LCIS has recorded a total of 74,962 cases/inmates across the state from 2018 to May, this year.

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    The Commissioner for Justice lamented the pressure on the state’s correctional facilities, revealing they are operating at 106 per cent above capacity.

    He said that as of May 2025, the combined inmate population stood at 9,096, a figure that far exceeds the infrastructure’s built capacity.

    Pedro described the LCIS as a groundbreaking initiative aimed at automating criminal justice processes and improving efficiency.

  • Lekki Deep Sea Port gets new CEO

    Lekki Deep Sea Port gets new CEO

    The promoters of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL), the company behind the development of $1.5billion Lekki Deep Sea Port, has announced the appointment of Wang Qiang as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

    Wang succeeds Du Ruogang, marking a significant leadership change at the port.

    In a statement by the Lekki Port Board of Directors, the strategic shift underscores the company’s dedication to achieving operational excellence and bolstering its role as a key player in Nigeria’s maritime and economic growth.

    Before assuming his new role, Wang Qiang held senior leadership positions at several subsidiaries of China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), including China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), CORE Investment Consultancy (Beijing) Co. Limited, and CCCG Overseas Real Estate Pte. Limited.

    Wang’s career began at China Harbour Engineering Company in Sri Lanka, where he was involved in various engineering and management tasks for large-scale construction projects. He managed operations at the Puttalam Coal Power Plant, the Hambantota Port Development among other.

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    Wang, it was gathered, has also led commercial, financial, and administrative departments for key projects such as the Maritime Terminal of the Moron Petrochemical Complex in Venezuela and “The Grand Project,” a real estate initiative in Los Angeles, US.

    His international experience, findings revealed, spans across China, the United States, Venezuela, and Sri Lanka, with a career spanning over 18 years.

    His diverse expertise includes investment management, terminal operations, engineering, strategic planning, quality assurance, and real estate, making him well-equipped to drive Lekki Port’s expansion and operations.

    Wang holds both a bachelor’s degree in Harbour, Channels, and Coastal Engineering and a Master’s degree in Transport Engineering from Hohal University.

    The board expressed confidence that Wang’s broad experience and leadership will guide Lekki Port into its next phase of growth and enhance its contribution to Nigeria’s economic development.

  • Excitement as Lekki Astro Sports Club season kicks off

    Excitement as Lekki Astro Sports Club season kicks off

    In a move to build its brand awareness among Nigerian football fans, the Lekki Astro Sports Club (LASC) is seeking national and international sponsorship deals to boost an exhilarating season of action, star-studded matchups, and unforgettable moments.

    In its third edition, LASC has over 100 multi-ethnic and diaspora members from different walks of life. Members include former Super Eagles and foreign-based players. The Lekki Astro league kicks off in October to ends in December with awards and a gala night.

    “LASC is an annual tournament, which aims to promote peace, love, and unity through football to keep fit while challenging ourselves further through competition. The league will bring Nigerians and payers from other parts of Africa together with the motive of unity irrespective of ethnic and religious differences.”

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    “The Lekki Astro League is purely Nigerian, as all members are Nigerians even though some members reside abroad. All materials and equipment for the league are sourced locally.”

    “Our objective is to have sponsors partner with us as we kick-start our 2024 league cup in October 2024 and wrap up our annual End of the Year/Awards night in December 2024.

    Four football teams: Team Harrison Group, Team Smart FC, Team Success, and Team Las Pinas Luxury will be taking part in this year’s league, with 12 matches across six weeks to be played in a regular league format.

     “This edition promises to be bigger and better than the previous editions, as we continue to improve on the template that was established from the inaugural edition. This is the first time we will be having entirely different sponsors from the initial editions.”

    “We are delighted to announce the individual sponsorship of Harrison Okorie, Smart Ibe, Chima Njoku, and Chigozie Igwebuike to commence the season.”

  • Small buses, tricycles to go in Lekki, Epe

    Small buses, tricycles to go in Lekki, Epe

    Small capacity buses, popularly called Korope, and auto rickshaws, known as Keke Marwa, have been banned on the Lekki-Epe Expressway axis of Lagos, beginning from Thursday, the Lagos State Government said.

    Commissioner of Transportation Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi and Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation Sola Giwa said the step was in line with government’s commitment to the safety and security of the public.

    From that date, the government said, a  new set of buses would be rolled out in line with the Bus Reform Initiative of the Sanwo-Olu administration, which focuses on the injection of mass capacity buses on the major trunks.

    Osiyemi said the small buses (with seven passenger capacity) and Keke, like commercial motorcycles, called Okada, have no place in the state’transportation masterplan.

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    He said critical stakeholders in the sector, particularly the leadership of the two transport unions – the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria – as well as all operators along the corridor, have been briefed at various stakeholders engagements, of the government’s intention and everyone was being carried along in the drive to reinvent the corridor, and give to residents an alternative befitting a megacity.

    “We are again sounding advisory note to operators of korope and Keke Marwa to please leave the Lekki Expressway from August 1,” he said.

  • Family executes judgment on Lekki land

    Family executes judgment on Lekki land

    High Court of Lagos State sitting in Epe has held that the land at Maidan/Oribanwa Town, Awoyaya in Ibeju Lekki, belongs to Osunbiyi Alagbo Onilewaji Family of Oribanwa.

    The land is as shown in Composite Plan No NV/ 4000/Comp _001/2023/LA dated February 6, 2023, verged red.

    Justice S. A. Olaitan confirmed the ownership in a judgment on suit EPD/10780LMW/2021 between Mr Sunday Alaga, Sefiu Quadri and Tajudeen Ojubanire, who sued on behalf of the Osunbiyi Alagbo Onilewaji Family of Oribanwa in Ibeju Lekki.

    Evermark Homes and Properties Limited is the sole respondent.

    Counsel for the Osunbiyi Alagbo Onilewaji Family, Chief Adekunle Funmilayo, at a briefing, said a notice of appeal against the judgment was withdrawn on April 23, 2024, while a motion to stay execution was struck out on January 15.

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    He said the matter formally ended by a court order dated July 8, 2024, following which the judgment was executed.

    “The execution of the judgment was carried out by the Sheriffs of the court on July 11, 2024. The Form ‘O’, dated July 15, 2024, was issued accordingly by the court,” Funmilayo said.

    The lawyer said the judgment nullifies all sales made by Evermark, warning that anyone who deals with the property firm or its representatives over the land “does or do so at his or their risk.”

  • Ex-commissioner trespassed on Lekki setbacks, says firm

    Ex-commissioner trespassed on Lekki setbacks, says firm

    Punuka Investment Limited has faulted a claim by former Ekiti Commissioner for Information, Sir Kayode Otitoju, and his wife Oladunni over setbacks in Lekki.

    Otitoju petitioned Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urging him to order the unsealing of his road setback housing a mechanic workshop in Lekki Phase 1.

    He said the place was sealed by the Ministry of Water Resources at the instance of the commissioner, Tokunbo Wahab, and Punuka Investment.

    Otitoju’s wife, in a separate petition to the state House of Assembly, stated that her farm housing an abattoir in the same location was sealed.

    Punuka Investment, in a statement by its counsel Adeyinka Abdulsalam, asked the Otitojus to leave it out in ventilating its grievances with the authorities.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to two publications by Sir Kayode Otitoju and his wife, Oladunni Otitoju, in which our company’s and our director’s names feature.

    “We state that PUNUKA Investment Limited is the owner of the property situate at Block A10 Plot 7, Layi Yusuf Crescent, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos.

    “The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) is the statutory body established to manage parks, gardens, open spaces, and recreational grounds in Lagos State under the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency Law 2011.

    “In accordance with the law, PUNUKA Investment Limited applied to LASPARK on August 11, 2020, for the adoption of the setback abutting the property.

    “After careful consideration, including the company’s 3-D design for a beautification garden and parking facility there (forwarded to LASPARK by letter dated May 10, 2021), LASPARK granted approval to PUNUKA Investment Limited. This was confirmed in their letter of 12 April 2022.

    “PUNUKA Investment Limited was in effective possession of the said setback until agents of Sir Kayode Otitoju trespassed on it and established a mechanic workshop within it.

    “PUNUKA Investment Limited, being a law-abiding citizen, sued Sir Kayode Otitoju and his company Jukot Ventures Limited, which he purports got a license to operate a mechanic workshop within the setback and canal culvert. The purported license was obtained while the case was pending.

    “Also, specific power over open spaces in the state is vested in LASPARK, not the Ministry of Transport. Further, a mechanic workshop is not a transportation activity within the purvey of the Ministry to allocate an open space.

    “While the Ministry can issue licenses, it has no power to allocate an open space for this purpose. It is for the person seeking such a license to provide appropriate land where such activity can be legally operated.

    “Only LASPARK can allocate or license open spaces. Sir Otitoju and his company are determined to place various government agencies in conflict through non-disclosure and compromise of the system.

    “LASPARK does not license those who adopt open spaces for trading purposes through leases to mechanic and abattoir operators in a residential/commercial highbrow area but for beautification and other environmentally friendly investment and use.

    “The lawsuit, SUIT NO: LD/4808CMW/2023, is currently pending before Honourable Justice Olukolu of the High Court of Lagos State, and thus, we are unable to offer further comment on its merits because the matter is sub judice.

    “We advise the Otitojus to ventilate whatever grievance they may have against the administrative actions taken by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to the appropriate authority and leave the names of our company and our director out of their publications.

    “It suffices to state that the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development is responsible for ensuring the proper adherence to Lagos State’s master plan.

    “Thus, an area designated for high-end commercial and residential use (such as Lekki’s new downtown of Admiralty Way) should not be used as an abattoir or mechanic workshop. It poses serious environmental risks and devalues significant investments in the area.

    “PUNUKA Investment Limited and Dr. Anthony Idigbe SAN reserve their rights with respect to any libellous comments made against their persons.”

    PUNUKA Investment Limited is the developer of PAS World Centre, a six-floor mixed-use iconic development in Lekki.

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    The complex is designed to accommodate offices, restaurants, shops, and other facilities.

    The company’s vision is to provide living, play, work, and leisure spaces.

    The PAS World Centre is the company’s second investment within Lekki Phase 1, the other being its three-floor International Law Centre, indicating significant investment in the Lagos urban renewal project of the Lagos State government.

    The company would continue with its investment strategy in Lagos State if the conditions were conducive.

    In addition, the company supports Punuka Foundation, a non-profit registered in Nigeria and the USA, and the owners of the PUNUKA Foundation Childcare in Sangotedo Lekki Peninsula, which caters to children with special needs and fosters youth development.