Former Lagos State governorship candidate Funso Doherty has filed an appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court, which threw out his lawsuit challenging the controversial ₦15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
The case, originally lodged in November 2024, accused the federal government of awarding the 700 km mega-project in clear breach of Nigeria’s procurement and environmental regulations. Doherty named the Attorney General of the Federation, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), and HiTech Construction as respondents.
He alleged that the highway contract was issued without an open competitive bidding process, a fundamental requirement of the Public Procurement Act. He also raised concerns over the lack of a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which is required under Nigerian law before such infrastructure projects can proceed.
However, Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court struck out the suit in April 2025, ruling that Doherty lacked locus standi—the legal capacity to bring the matter before the court. The judge argued that the former candidate had not demonstrated any personal injury or direct interest in the matter.
Refusing to let the ruling go unchallenged, Doherty has now approached the Court of Appeal. In a Notice of Appeal dated June 12, filed by his counsel, D.D. Duru of Atlas Legal Practitioners argues that the trial court erred in law by failing to recognize his right as a concerned citizen demanding lawful governance and transparency. “The suit merely sought to compel compliance with the law, not to pursue any personal advantage,” the notice read.
In a statement issued Saturday titled “Update on Legal Action Challenging the Process of Awarding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Contract,” Doherty doubled down on his mission to hold those in power accountable. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to challenge what we believe to be clear violations associated with this immense public contract,” he said.
He added, “The goal is to deter impunity and reinforce accountability in the award and execution of public projects, as well as in the broader management of public funds.”
Doherty recalled that his suit questioned not just the monetary implications of the contract but also the opaque manner in which it was awarded and the lack of publicly available environmental assessments.
The project spans nine states—Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River—and has remained one of the most controversial infrastructure contracts in recent memory, with critics describing it as another example of Tinubu’s government ignoring due process.
The Court of Appeal is now expected to review whether the original ruling misinterpreted the legal standing required to demand transparency in public expenditure.
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