The suit was filed by four legal lawyers: Yakubu Eleto, Adeyemi Onikoro, Shittu Akeem and Nurudeen Aregbeshola.
Others are Chief Muhammed Jamiu, Madam Titilayo Medeme Ogun and Gbenga Agoro (for themselves and on behalf of the group.
The President, Attorney-General of the Federation, the Senate, Lagos State Governor, Attorney-General of Lagos State, and others were joined as second to 19th defendants.
At the hearing before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa yesterday, the plaintiffs were represented by Yakubu Eleto, while the fifth, seventh, 13th and 19th defendants were represented by Olamide Ibrahim.
M.S. Saliu represented the eighth defendant, while Adeleke Ogunnuga represented the ninth defendant.
In his argument, Eleto told the court that the plaintiffs had filed their responses to the preliminary objections raised by other parties that were represented in court.
He maintained that it is a settled law that members of LAG can maintain the action in their personal and representative capacities notwithstanding that the group is not registered as a legal entity.
He also faulted claims by the defendants that the plaintiffs have no ‘locus standi’ to institute the action.
He consequently submitted that challenging the ‘locus standi’ to maintain an action in respect of breach or non-compliance with the constitutional and statutory provisions as it relates to indigenes of Lagos State is misconceived and should be discountenanced.
The defendants have contended in their preliminary objections that the plaintiffs have no ‘locus standi’ to file the action and that the substance of the case is not justiciable.
The defendants also contended that the suit was wrongly initiated by way of originating motions.
After listening to parties, Justice Allagoa adjourned the matter to April 11, 2022 for judgment.
