A Federal High Court, sitting at Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday, February 7, ordered the federal government to fix the prices of goods and petroleum products within seven days.

Justice Ambose Lewis-Allagoa granted the order sequel to an originating motion filed and argued by the applicant and human rights activist, Femi Falana SAN.

He said: “I have had the applicant Femi Falana in a suit no San,FHC/L/CS/869/2023 and I have also discovered that despite the service of the Originating motion on the respondents namely Attorney-General of the Federation and the Price Control Board, no opposition to it by way of counter affidavit, which is law that all the facts deposed in the affidavit attached to the originating motion are all deemed admitted.

“Consequently, all prayers that are sought for in the motion papers are hereby granted as prayed.”

The judge ordered the Nigerian government to fix the price of Milk, Flour, salt, sugar, bicycles and it’s spare parts, matches, motorcycles and its spare parts, motor vehicles and it’s spare parts as well as Petroleum products, which include: diesel, petrol motor spirit (PMS) and kerosene.

Falana (SAN) had approached the court for the followings: “whether by virtue of Section 4 of the Price Control Act., the first defendant is carrying out its duty to impose a price on any goods that are of the kind specified in the First Schedule to the Price Control Act.

“A declaration that by virtue of Section 4 of the Price Control Act Cap, the defendants are under a legal obligation to fix the prices of bicycles and spare parts; flour; matches; milk; motorcycles and spare parts; motor vehicles and spare parts; salt; sugar and petroleum products including diesel, petrol motor spirit and kerosene.

“A declaration that the failure or refusal of the Defendants to fix the prices of bicycles and spare parts; flour; matches; milk; motorcycles and spare parts; motor vehicles and spare parts; salt; sugar and petroleum products including diesel, petrol motor spirit and kerosene is illegal as it offends the provision of Section 4 of the Price Control Act.

Nigerian digital payment company, Interswitch Limited on Wednesday testified in the vote-buying case filed by the Federal government against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu before a State High Court sitting in Abeokuta.

The Federal government had dragged Adebutu and nine others to the court over allegation vote buying during the March 18 governorship election in the state.

In the suit marked, AB/10c/2023 (FRN Vs Adebutu &Ors), the FG alleged that Adebutu ordered through his bank the issuance of N200,000 preloaded ATM verve cards with N10,000 and distributed same on the day of election across the State with an intent of inducing voters in the state.

At resumed hearing on Wednesday, the Federal Government, led by its counsel, Rotimi Jacobs called three witnesses, including an official of Interswitch Ltd., against Adebutu.

One of the witnesses, Seyi Binuyo, a Scheme Managing Executive at Interswitch Ltd., told the court that the verve cards were dully approved by his company.

He added that, the request for the design of the cards followed all the stipulated requirements and guidelines of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Binuyo said Interswitch’s approved the cards after due diligence, saying “we reviewed the guidelines and checked through request for the cards before giving our approval”.

The certificate of approval for the cards was therefore tendered by the prosecuting counsel and was admitted as exhibit.

Other witnesses called included voters who claimed that they were offered the preloaded cards at their polling units.

All the witnesses were also cross examined by the defense counsel, Gordy Uche.

Justice Abiodun Akinyemi however adjourned the case till 19 and 20, March for continuation of hearing.

Speaking with journalists, the defense counsel said, “Today we had witnesses called by the prosecuting counsel and we crossed examined them. The prosecuting counsel has said he still has many more witnesses, but we will be back here to continue with the evidence.

On his part, the prosecuting counsel, said, when the case resumes, the Federal government would call more witnesses to prove its case.

He said, “We called three witnesses and they were all crossed examined by the defendants, but we will continue with our witnesses. We have called three witnesses so far and it is now left for the court to believe or disbelieve them.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria in a land mark judgment delivered in the case of NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY & OTHERS VS LASWA, GOV. OF LAGOS STATE & ATTORN. GEN. OF LAGOS STATE with Suit No: SC.17/2018 on the 5th day of January 2024 by JOHN INYANG OKORO JSC leading other 4 Supreme Court Justices declared null and void Lagos State Waterways Authority Law, 2008.

Since the Title of Oba Saheed Elegushi is based on the Title issued by the Lagos State Government, it follows also that the Monarch Title has also collapsed.

The above statement is based on both Law and Facts, says Olajide Ajana, a Lagos based Legal Practitioner and Real Estate Advisor.

“The Supreme Court Judgment delivered on 5th January 2024, led by Justice Okoro at page 37 stated; “I have read through both National Inland Waterways Authority Act 2004 and the Lagos State waterways authority law 2008. I have no doubt whatsoever that both statutes have identical provisions.

“Section 22 of the LASWA law defines under the control of the first respondent to include all waterways, Rivers, Creeks, lakes, tiled land and lagoons within the boundaries of Lagos State” Similar to definition of “Inland waterways” in Section 29 of national inland waterways authority act which includes all waterways. Rivers,Creeks, lakes, tiled land, lagoons below the water based line.

“The Supreme Court further held : both enactment must not and cannot subsit side by side. The National Inland Waterways Authority Act being a Federal law must prevail whereas the identical law enacted by the Lagos State act of Assembly must be and is hereby declared null and void.

“The consequese and implication of the above pronouncements by the Supreme Court which is the highest and final Court in Nigeria is that all persons including Kabiyesi Oba Saheed Elegushi who derived title from the Lagos State Government in respect of the Inland water ways are bound and affected by the Judgement of the Supreme Court with no exception.

“Once the Title and the Claims of Lagos State has failed, the Title of Oba Saheed Elegushi and others to the area being sand filled at Orange Island axis of Lagos State has also failed, being derived from the Lagos State Government.

“The press Statement recently issued by Oba Saheed Elegushi  to the effect that he is not a party to the case of NIWA VS LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT and therefore attempting to trivialize impact of the judgement as circulating fake news is very unfortunate.

“The previous Press Statements issued with regard to the recent Supreme Court Decision to enlighten the general public and investors are based on Law and facts

“The General public and investors should be properly guided and understand that the Supreme Court is the highest court in Nigeria and their decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

“Also when the root Title to a property is affected, it affects everyone claiming from the same root, which is the case with Oba Saheed Elegushi’s Title which was derived from Lagos State Government.”

Olajide Ajana is a Lagos based Legal Practitioner and Real Estate Advisor with Office in Victoria Island Lagos.

oajana@yahoo.com