Lekki residents file suit to stop construction of filling station

The plaintiffs are challenging the construction of a filing station by ASCON at Block 36, Plot 10, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos.

A Lagos High Court on Wednesday fixed June 11 for the hearing of a suit by some residents of Lekki Scheme 1 to stop ASCON Oil Ltd from constructing a filling station in the area.

The plaintiffs are Rasheed Williams, Kayode Aderinokun, Alhaji Useni, Malachy Ezeoke, Mrs Ogunmokun and Olajide Kuti.

Joined as defendants are the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development.

The plaintiffs through their counsel, Osaro Eghobamien, are challenging the construction of a filing station by ASCON at Block 36, Plot 10, Lekki Peninsula Scheme 1, Lagos.

The case which was earlier fixed for the hearing of a preliminary objection was stalled because of the absence of Justice Kazeem Alogba, who was said to be indisposed.

The suit was adjourned to June 11 for hearing.

The plaintiffs are seeking among other reliefs, an order of perpetual injunction restraining ASCON from further constructing the filling station on the land.

They want an order setting aside any development permit or approval purportedly granted to the company by the second and third defendants for the construction of the filling station.

They also want an order of perpetual injunction restraining the second and third defendants from granting any further permit to ASCON for the construction of the station.

Justice Kazeem Alogba had on March 6 granted an interim order stopping further construction activities until the suit was determined.

In their statement of claim, the plaintiff averred that the construction and operation of the petrol station by ASCON on the land would pose a threat to their lives, health and property in form of pollution.

They also said they would be exposed to serious danger and threat of fire or explosion by the station.

The plaintiffs said that they were not aware of any environmental impact analysis carried out on the land before an approval was granted.

(NAN)