By BONIFACE AKARAH

US-based Nigerian human rights lawyer Emmanuel Ogebe has called for the cancellation of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the resignation of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, arguing that reported changes to the project’s route vindicate his earlier objections to its feasibility, cost and procurement process.

In a statement dated October 12, 2026, Ogebe said recent reports that the multibillion-dollar project required major modifications had reinforced concerns he previously raised in a US court filing connected to the recovery of assets linked to the late former Head of State, Sani Abacha.

Ogebe cited a supplementary amicus brief filed on December 1, 2024, in the US case United States of America v. All Assets Held in Account Number 80020796, Case No. 1:13-cv-01832-JDB, before a federal court in Washington, DC.

In the filing, he questioned the economic justification and procurement process for the coastal highway, alleging that the project raised concerns about possible conflicts of interest involving President Bola Tinubu and businessman Gilbert Chagoury. These remain allegations made by Ogebe in his legal submissions.

Describing the highway as an “infrastructure heist” and a “highway to nowhere,” the lawyer argued that Nigeria should redirect public resources towards more urgent needs, particularly electricity generation and infrastructure.

“The project has no economic value and is not a priority need for Nigeria whose four refineries are not working and whose power grid collapses more regularly than there is 24-hour power supply,” Ogebe wrote in the court brief, as reproduced in his statement.

He also questioned the decision to award the contract without competitive bidding, alleging that the arrangement favoured Chagoury’s company. The statement did not include a response from the businessman, the Presidency or the Ministry of Works to these allegations.

Ogebe cited former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke’s criticism of the highway, including Duke’s doubts that the road would extend beyond Epe and his suggestion that repairing existing routes could be a more practical alternative.

“Nigeria cannot afford the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. I don't think the road will go beyond Epe,” Duke was quoted as saying in the material reproduced by Ogebe.

The lawyer argued that the project’s costs should be examined against Nigeria’s pressing infrastructure needs, particularly the persistent electricity challenges affecting households and businesses.

He also compared the coastal highway with the Kano–Maradi railway project, which he criticised over its cost, delays and expected economic returns. Ogebe questioned why substantial borrowing would be committed to major transport projects while other infrastructure needs remained unresolved.

In another part of his statement, he alleged that the coastal highway and other major contracts awarded to companies associated with Chagoury raised concerns about the concentration of public contracts and possible conflicts of interest.

Ogebe urged the Federal Government to cancel the coastal highway, compensate businesses allegedly affected by the project and redirect the funds towards the long-delayed Mambilla hydroelectric power project.

“Secondly the project must be cancelled, the destroyed businesses compensated and our money refunded so that Mambilla hydro electric power can be built instead after decades,” he stated.

He also called for Umahi’s resignation, arguing that the reported need for substantial changes to the route raised questions about the planning and approval of the project.

The lawyer said his previous court submissions and public criticisms had been vindicated by the reported developments. However, the reported route modifications alone do not establish the truth of the allegations of corruption, conflict of interest or procurement violations contained in his statement.