Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has said that the state government would continue to collect tolls from motorists who ply the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge.
The Governor speaking through the Attorney General of the State, Mr. Ade Ipaye faulted a decision by the Federal High Court Lagos which said that collection of toll on the bridge was illegal.
Justice Saidu, J of the Federal High Court, ruling on a suit brought by human rights lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, held that power of control over all navigable waterways in Nigeria resides in the Federal Government, and not any state government.
He held that from all the documents made available to the court, the only justification for the toll fee on the bridge by Lagos State is the private partnership law.
However, he noted that the law could not apply to the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge since it was built with the money of the Lagos State Government, without the involvement of any private partnership.
“Thus, since there is no law supporting the toll fee, it is illegal and should be stopped forthwith”, Justice Saidu said.
However the Attorney General of Lagos state said, “The judgment read this morning did not specifically address many of the questions raised by the applicant, neither did it grant any of the declarations sought.
“As you heard for yourselves, no order made. However, the pronouncements referred to above are capable of being interpreted as court orders, hence our decision to appeal and stay of execution immediately.”
Ipaye said that the collection of tolls on the bridge would continue even as the State would file an appeal and seek a stay of execution the judgment.
“They will continue to pay. All the same, we are not ruling out any kind of interpretation ,” he said in response to questions on if motorists had to continue shelling out money for the toll.