Nigeria's Lagos state has withdrawn its USD 23 billion lawsuit it filed against three tobacco companies seeking NGN 2.7 trillion (UDS 22.9 billion) in damages, Reuters reports.

British American Tobacco, Philip Morris International and Nigerian International Tobacco still face similar suits from the federal government and two other states.
An NGN 5.3 trillion lawsuit brought by the federal government against the three firms was adjourned in January to March 17 to allow the prosecution to serve court papers on one of the defendants.
The states of Lagos, Kano and Gombe had sued for a total of USD 38.6 billion in May 2007, seeking damages for what they said were public health costs for treating smoking-related diseases.
It was not clear why Lagos had decided to withdraw its case and its lawyers were not immediately available for comment.
The federal government is seeking to ban the sale of cigarettes to under 18s and curb advertising aimed at young people. It says tobacco should not be sold within a kilometre of facilities used by children such as playgrounds, schools, cinemas and hospitals. (pi)