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Court strikes out suit against Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road

The Federal High Court in Lagos has declined jurisdiction in a suit challenging the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, striking out the case brought by residents and property owners in the Okun-Ajah community of Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State. Justice Akintayo Aluko, in a consolidated ruling on multiple preliminary objections raised by the
Court strikes out suit against Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road

The Federal High Court in Lagos has declined jurisdiction in a suit challenging the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, striking out the case brought by residents and property owners in the Okun-Ajah community of Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State.

Justice Akintayo Aluko, in a consolidated ruling on multiple preliminary objections raised by the defendants, held that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Consequently, the case, marked FHC/L/CS/1488/2024, was struck out.

However, the Judge directed that the suit be transferred to the Lagos State High Court, which he deemed the appropriate forum to adjudicate on the issues raised.

The Plaintiffs, Chief Saheed Olukosi (Akogun of Okun-Ajah Community), Noibi Issa Afolayan, Yussuf Odunuga Sulaiman, Olufemi Fasehun, and Adeola Tokunbo filed the suit on behalf of Okun-Ajah residents and affected property owners, seeking to halt the coastal road project over alleged encroachment on their lands.

They asked the court to nullify any construction or planning activity on their properties, alleging unlawful encroachment and trespass. Among the reliefs sought were orders to invalidate the road designs affecting their land, to restrain the authorities and contractor from continuing construction on the disputed area, and to award damages for the alleged trespass.

The defendants named in the suit include the Honourable Minister of Works, Dr. Dave Umahi; Engineer Olukorede Keisha; the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; Lagos State Attorney-General; the Lagos Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development; Surveyor-General of Lagos State; General Manager of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority; General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency; and Hitech Construction Limited.

In response, the 1st to 3rd and 9th Defendants filed separate preliminary objections challenging the jurisdiction of the court. Represented by Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Prof. J.O. Olatoke, SAN; Y.A.H. Ruba, SAN; Roy U. Nwaeze, SAN; and Ibukun Fasoro, they argued that the matter fell outside the purview of the Federal High Court.

The preliminary objections were supported by affidavits, to which the plaintiffs responded with a counter-affidavit.

In his ruling, Justice Aluko upheld the objections, stating that the legal questions raised and the reliefs sought were more appropriately handled by the Lagos State High Court. He ruled in favour of the Defendants, bringing proceedings at the Federal High Court to a close.

“Counsel to the Plaintiffs made an alternative submission in his written address, urging the court not to strike out this suit if the court finds that it lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate over the case.

“Counsel urged the court to transfer this suit to the State High Court, instead of striking out same.

“I agree with Counsel on this request, as this court possesses the needed power and jurisdiction to accede to such prayer.

“This court is fortified under Section 22(2) of the Federal High Court Act, which provides thus: ‘No cause or matter shall be struck out by the court merely on the ground that such cause or matter was taken in the court instead of the High Court of a State or of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in which it ought to have been brought, and the Judge of the court before whom such cause or matter is brought may cause such cause or matter to be transferred to the appropriate High Court of a State or at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in accordance with Rules of Court to be made under Section 44 of this Act.

“The Objections of the 1st-3rd and 9th Defendant/Objectors are therefore, sustained. This court has no jurisdiction to adjudicate over the subject-matter in this case.

“Pursuant to Section 22(2) of the Federal High Court Act, this suit is accordingly transferred to the Lagos State High Court as the appropriate court for adjudication”, Justice Aluko held.

Court strikes out suit against Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road

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DOGE: US cancels $84,000 grant for spa businesses in Nigeria

The Department of Government Efficiency has reported the termination of a grant approved for Nigerian businesses by the United States African Development Foundation. The Foundation, established to invest in African grassroots enterprises and social entrepreneurs, operates in 21 African countries, and has made investments in more than 40 nations. In an update on its website
DOGE: US cancels $84,000 grant for spa businesses in Nigeria

The Department of Government Efficiency has reported the termination of a grant approved for Nigerian businesses by the United States African Development Foundation.

The Foundation, established to invest in African grassroots enterprises and social entrepreneurs, operates in 21 African countries, and has made investments in more than 40 nations.

In an update on its website on Monday, DOGE announced that the Foundation has cancelled $84,059 earmarked for “a business incubator for spa & wellness entrepreneurs in Nigeria.”

The USADF said over the last five years, it has invested $117 million into over 1,000 African SMEs, entrepreneurs, and organizations, and has impacted over 7 million lives.

In another update, the Elon Musk-led DOGE said the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ended discrimination in the foreign service and restored merit.

The department informed that under the previous administration, the Department of State made DEI 20 percent of Foreign Service Officer performance.

DOGE said diplomats were assessed by whether they avoided “gendered adjectives” or “faint praise”; asked local organizations to “promote DEIA training/programs/lectures” and “annual DEIA awards ceremon[ies].”

The officers were also asked whether they focused foreign law enforcement cooperation on “racial and gender justice issues”, or set race/gender quotas on embassy speaking panels and at other diplomatic events.

In response, Rubio praised the “important and historic reforms,” adding that: “Now our incredible Foreign Service Officers will be evaluated on true merit, not on arbitrary immutable characteristics.”

DOGE: US cancels $84,000 grant for spa businesses in Nigeria

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EU Commission proposes 25% counter-tariffs on some US imports

The European Commission on Monday proposed counter-tariffs of 25% on a range of US goods in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium. The tariffs on some goods are said to be taking effect from May 16 and others later in the year, on December 1. DAILY POST reports that the goods
EU Commission proposes 25% counter-tariffs on some US imports

The European Commission on Monday proposed counter-tariffs of 25% on a range of US goods in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium.

The tariffs on some goods are said to be taking effect from May 16 and others later in the year, on December 1.

DAILY POST reports that the goods are wide-ranging and include diamonds, eggs, dental floss, sausages and poultry, while the counter-tariffs on almonds and soybeans will take effect on December 1.

Recall that EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said earlier on Monday that the counter-tariffs would have less impact than the previously announced 26 billion euros ($28.45 billion).

The Commission had earmarked a 50% tariff on bourbon, which had triggered Trump to threaten a 200% counter-tariff on EU alcoholic drinks if the bloc went ahead.

Trump’s threat worried France and Italy in particular because of their significant wine industries.

In addition to the counter-tariffs, the EU already tightened existing safeguards on steel on April 1 to reduce imports by 15%.

The Commission is also eyeing import quotas for aluminium as its member states are due to vote on this proposal on April 9.

EU Commission proposes 25% counter-tariffs on some US imports

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King Charles, Queen Camilla arrive in Italy for state visit

British King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, on Monday arrived in Italy for a four-day state visit during which the British monarch will address the Italian parliament in Rome. The visit is said to be the 17th official visit by Charles to Italy and his first overseas trip this year as he continues to
King Charles, Queen Camilla arrive in Italy for state visit

British King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, on Monday arrived in Italy for a four-day state visit during which the British monarch will address the Italian parliament in Rome.

The visit is said to be the 17th official visit by Charles to Italy and his first overseas trip this year as he continues to undergo treatment for cancer.

The visit coincides with the 20th wedding anniversary of Charles and Camilla, who married on April 9, 2005.

Their wedding took place the day after the funeral of Pope John Paul II, which Charles attended as then heir to the throne.

DAILY POST reports that Charles, who as British king is the supreme governor of the Church of England, had been due to meet Pope Francis this week, but the meeting was postponed in late March because of concern over the pontiff’s health.

The pope had spent five weeks in hospital suffering from double pneumonia and has now returned to the Vatican.

Charles previously met Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, during visits to Italy in 2017 and 2019.

In the past, he also met Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

His mother, Queen Elizabeth, also visited the Holy See in 2000 during the last Catholic Jubilee year.

Charles and Camilla are scheduled to meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Tuesday and visit the Colosseum.

Then, on Wednesday, the king and queen will meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after which Charles will deliver a speech to parliament, the first British monarch in history to address a joint parliamentary session in Italy.

The royal couple will on Thursday travel to Ravenna in the northeastern Emilia-Romagna region to take part in a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the city’s liberation from Nazi occupation by Allied forces in World War Two.

King Charles, Queen Camilla arrive in Italy for state visit

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Israeli PM, Netanyahu pledges to eliminate trade surplus with US

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday promised to eliminate Israel’s trade surplus with the United States. Netanyahu made the pledge as he sat beside Trump in the White House Oval Office. “We intend to do it very quickly. We think it’s the right thing to do, and we’re going to also eliminate trade barriers,”
Israeli PM, Netanyahu pledges to eliminate trade surplus with US

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday promised to eliminate Israel’s trade surplus with the United States.

Netanyahu made the pledge as he sat beside Trump in the White House Oval Office.

“We intend to do it very quickly. We think it’s the right thing to do, and we’re going to also eliminate trade barriers,” he said.

DAILY POST reports that Netanyahu was the first foreign leader to meet with Trump at the White House since the US president announced a sweeping tariff policy last week that has hammered global financial markets and raised concerns of a recession.

The United States, Israel’s closest ally and largest single trading partner, last year had a $7.4 billion goods trade deficit with Israel.

Under Trump’s new policy, Israeli goods would face a 17% US tariff.

Trump made no promises when asked if his administration planned to reduce tariffs on Israeli goods.

“We’ve been ripped off and taken advantage of by many countries over the years, and can’t do it anymore,” he said.

Israel had already moved to cancel its remaining tariffs on US imports last Tuesday.

The two countries were said to have signed a free trade agreement 40 years ago and about 98% of goods from the United States are now tax-free.

Netanyahu’s visit on Monday was said to be his second to the White House since the second return of Trump on January 20 as president.

Israeli PM, Netanyahu pledges to eliminate trade surplus with US

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Killing of 15 aid workers in Gaza caused by ‘sense of threat’ – Israel

The Israeli military on Monday said that an initial investigation into the killing of 15 emergency workers in south Gaza last month showed that the incident occurred due to a sense of threat. This was as it had identified six Hamas militants as being in the vicinity during the incident in the city of Rafah.
Killing of 15 aid workers in Gaza caused by ‘sense of threat’ – Israel

The Israeli military on Monday said that an initial investigation into the killing of 15 emergency workers in south Gaza last month showed that the incident occurred due to a sense of threat.

This was as it had identified six Hamas militants as being in the vicinity during the incident in the city of Rafah.

The military, in a statement, said it was carrying out a more in-depth investigation but the preliminary inquiry indicated that the troops opened fire due to a perceived threat following a previous encounter in the area, and that six of the individuals killed were identified as Hamas militants.

The emergency workers were reportedly shot dead on March 23 and buried in shallow graves.

According to the Israeli military, it opened fire after unmarked vehicles approached in the dark, but changed its account after video emerged showing clearly marked ambulances and fire trucks with their lights on coming under fire.

It further stated that a deeper investigation would be conducted in the coming days and its findings would be presented to the public.

At the time of filing this report, the Red Crescent Society has not commented on the Israeli findings.

After the incident, the Palestine Red Crescent Society called for an independent international investigation, saying that the targeting of its ambulance convoy was a full-fledged war crime, reflecting a dangerous pattern of repeated violation of international humanitarian law.

The emergency workers were reportedly from the Red Cross, Red Crescent, UN and the Palestinian Civil Emergency Service.

Killing of 15 aid workers in Gaza caused by ‘sense of threat’ – Israel

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Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal calls Trump tariffs ‘permanent tax on Americans’

Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal, has faulted the United States’ trade tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, saying Americans would bear the brunt of the effects. Kimba, co-owner of The Kitchen Restaurant Group, predicted that the policy would trigger reduction in spending and limit opportunities in the country’s labour force. In a post on social network
Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal calls Trump tariffs ‘permanent tax on Americans’

Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal, has faulted the United States’ trade tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, saying Americans would bear the brunt of the effects.

Kimba, co-owner of The Kitchen Restaurant Group, predicted that the policy would trigger reduction in spending and limit opportunities in the country’s labour force.

In a post on social network X on Monday, the 52-year-old businessman described Trump as the “most high tax American President in generations.

“Through his tariff strategy, Trump has implemented a structural, permanent tax on the American consumer,” Kimbal declared.

He said even if the president creates jobs through the tariff tax, prices will remain high, in addition to high consumption tax “because we are simply not as good at making all things.”

“A tax on consumption also means less consumption. Which means less jobs. Which in turn leads to less consumption. And then even less jobs,” Kimbal added.

The restaurateur noted that with its incredible powers, America should play to those strengths, and not be forced to play to weaknesses.

Kimbal’s reaction came on the same day JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said the U.S. trade levies would push prices higher and increase the risk of a recession.

His older brother, Elon, is a senior advisor to President Trump and heads the Department of Government Efficiency, tasked with cutting federal spending.

Elon Musk’s brother, Kimbal calls Trump tariffs ‘permanent tax on Americans’