Lagos Government and Sanwo-Olu Sued Over Alleged $100 Million Dangote Refinery Land Deal

A lawsuit has been filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, demanding that the Lagos State Government provide full disclosure regarding an alleged $100 million payment made by billionaire businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, for land used for the construction of the Dangote Refinery. The case, initiated by two civic groups—De Renaissance Patriots Foundation and Ibeju-Lekki Peoples Forum—seeks clarity on whether this payment was indeed made and why there has been no public acknowledgment of such a significant transaction.

The applicants have called for transparency, emphasizing that the lack of compensation to the local Ibeju-Lekki community, whose lands were affected by the refinery, remains a critical issue. The legal motion, brought under the Nigerian Constitution and the Freedom of Information Act, is aimed at compelling the Lagos government to release comprehensive details of the transaction.

Barrister Yakubu Eleto, the lead counsel for the applicants, highlighted that the refinery’s construction has caused significant hardship to the Ibeju-Lekki residents, who were not compensated. He pointed out that former Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola had previously stated in 2015 that the land was provided to Dangote free of charge to boost the state’s economy. However, Dangote’s recent revelation that $100 million was paid for the land has raised concerns about the handling of public funds.

The court is expected to assign the case to a judge shortly, with the first hearings anticipated in the coming week. This case could provide much-needed transparency on the deal and offer insights into how public resources are managed in Lagos State.

This legal battle will be closely watched, particularly by the Ibeju-Lekki community, as it could shape the future of how such large-scale transactions are disclosed and handled in the state.