The Coalition for Land Rights Advocacy in Nigeria has announced plans to initiate legal proceedings against the Federal Government over an N18 billion compensation offer for properties affected by the Lagos-Calabar highway project. The group claims the compensation is unjust, stating that if the Minister of Works, David Umahi, does not meet their demands, they will proceed with legal action.

According to Sola Enitan, leader of the coalition, the Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) have entrusted the coalition to advocate on their behalf. “If the Minister of Works does not address our concerns, we are prepared to take this matter to court,” Enitan declared in a recent interview. “We are representing the PAPs who have lost their homes, land, and livelihoods to this project and deserve fair compensation.”

The coalition has so far delayed legal action to allow time for three legislative summonses issued by the House of Assembly. Enitan explained that a final decision on their legal course will follow the third summons if the Minister fails to comply. “If these legislative efforts fail, we will proceed to court unless the President himself intervenes to ensure the right course of action,” Enitan added.

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The coalition argues that the Lagos-Calabar highway project has forcibly displaced numerous Nigerians, and the government has not fulfilled its legal obligation to provide fair and just compensation. Enitan disclosed that over 65 letters have been sent to the Minister by PAP representatives, detailing their grievances and proposed solutions, but they have received no reply. “None of our letters have been acknowledged by the ministry, nor has there been any outreach from its legal department,” Enitan said.

He went on to accuse Minister Umahi of intimidating affected individuals during stakeholder meetings. “These meetings, often held in politically charged environments, have led to harassment and bullying,” Enitan claimed, adding that videos capturing the treatment of displaced citizens have surfaced on social media, raising public concern over Senator David Umahi’s approach.

The coalition highlighted that, according to the Land Use Act of 1978, the Land Use and Allocations Committee is legally required to mediate in compensation disputes. However, they allege that the Minister has sidestepped this process, opting instead for forceful measures. “Despite exhausting all channels, PAPs were compelled to formally petition the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Enitan noted, explaining that the House Committee on Public Petitions has already summoned the Minister twice, with no attendance on his part, and has now issued a third summons.

In response, Minister Umahi recently confirmed that the compensation budget for Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project has been increased from N8 billion to N18 billion. He assured that all eligible individuals in this section would receive payment within 10 days. Nonetheless, many PAPs argue that even the revised figure remains insufficient to cover the true value of their properties, insisting that the government’s offer does not meet legal or ethical standards of fair compensation.