News
Plateau gov’t drags Rep to court for re-awarding 17-year road contract
Angered by the action of Hon. Yusuf Gagdi representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, in the House of Representatives for re-awarding contract of road that has been contracted by Plateau State government, he has been dragged to court.
The Attorney-General of Plateau State, P. A. Daffi filed the lawsuit against the lawmaker with case already marked PLD/P5/2025 at the Plateau State High Court in Pankshin.
The state government is seeking to halt Gagdi’s ongoing construction of the 33km Gunji-Shiwer-Dokpai Road with a spur to Tiplik, which he undertook as part of his constituency projects.
The plaintiffs contended that the road which was awarded for reconstruction in 2008 to a construction company named Hajaig Nigeria Limited remains legally valid and binding, hence, the Federal lawmaker has no constitutional power to re-award the contract.
The plaintiffs are seeking the Court to make pronouncement on the validity of the road contract and to perpetually restrain Hon. Gagdi and Orion Acres Limited (the construction firm he engaged) from interfering with the road project.
Plateau State government is also demanding the sum of N100 million in general damages from the lawmaker over what it described as unlawful interference with its contractual rights.
The Attorney General of Plateau State on Wednesday at the Court session also sought approval of the Court to grant an interlocutory injunction stopping Gagdi from proceeding with construction.
However, Gagdi’s lawyer, Johnson Usman (SAN), objected, arguing that the defendants still had time to respond to the motion and the originating summons.
Justice Charles Donglong ruled in favour of the defendants, granting them additional time to file their responses.
The case has been adjourned to February 27 for the hearing of both the interlocutory injunction and the substantive suit.
