A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, has made a stern warning against the Lagos state government and others against their defiant to a valid court order stopping them from continue demolition of 795 shops in Alaba section of Mile 12 market as she threatened to commit party found culpable to prison.
Justice Lateefat Atinuke Oluyemi had on January 11, 2023 ordered parties in the suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Orirere Commodity Leaders and Traders Association to maintain status quo ante, restraining respondents from further action on the land.
Besides Incorporated Trustees of Orire Commodity Leaders and Traders Association, other plaintiff in the suit are: Yeye Precious Modupe Ojo, Alhaji Akinwale Jimoh and Babatunde Adetula, brought the suit against the Lagos State government, Kosofe Local Government Ikosi/Isheri Local Council Development Area.
Other defendants include: Dr. Chris Onyekachi ; Total Value Integrated Services Limited, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice,
Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as first to fifth respondents respectively.
At the resumed hearing of the matter today, Mr. Gbolahan Quadri, plaintiff couns, informed the court that, despite the subsisting order, the respondents and their agents were still constructing structures on the land known has Alaba Section, Mile 12 Market, Ikosi-Isheri as at he time the matter is ongoing.
Raged by the submission of the lawyer, Justice Oluyemi gave very strong warnings to the respondents to desist from disobeying court order, as she threatened to commit them to prison if anyone is found culpable violating the courts order.
A lawyer who appeared for respondent prayed the court to give them time to file necessary applications, their response to the suit.
The judge subsequently adjourned to March 30,2023 to enable the defence to file necessary applications.
Meanwhile, the traders and owners of 795 demolished shops throngs court in hundreds, protesting against the Lagos State government, others alleged flouting an order of court restraining them from further demolition.
They alleged that three traders have died in less than one week, following the decision of the Lagos State Government to
intensify demolition of the shops.
Speaking with the newsmen after the proceedings at the high court premises, the market leader, Yeye Modupe Ojo said three traders, Mujidat Suleiman, Adejoke Olawole and Ademola died as a result of shock, noted that the deceased children are with them in the struggle.
Ojo disclosed that, last year October 26,2022, a notice of contravention was pasted, notifying them that the Lagos State Government will commenced demolition, two days after the notice.
She said they approached the court for justice when the Iyaloja General of Lagos State, Mrs. Iyabo Ojo refused to plead on their behalf but urged them to collect forms and make payment for the new structure.
“ Now, am in court to seek justice for these poor people, despite the interim injunction, they are working there with over 200 thugs and policemen.”
She added that the traders want the government to stop demolition. “We should sit on round table to talk and compensate our people. We welcome innovation, we don’t want war.”
Also speaking, a leader in the electronic section, Mr. Titus Ezeugo, a 70 year-old man, said the land was allocated to them by the Lagos State Government and that they developed the market with their personal money.
He said they have documents of allocation with receipt of payment, adding that the Lagos state government should tell them what type of structure they want now and they will restructure to that effect.
According to him, the market was not built by government but by private developers.
He said that since the market was built, the traders have been making payment to government and that some of those who collected loans have not been able to offset the loans.
Ezeugo further said the market was approved by the Lagos State Government. He said what will he and his family live on now that he is at retirement age and he is calling for justice.A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, has warned the state government and others against their defiant to a valid court order stopping them from further action on demolition of 795 shops in Alaba section of Mile 12 market.
Justice Lateefat Oluyemi had on January 11, 2023 ordered parties in the suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Orirere Commodity Leaders and Traders Association to maintain status quo ante (restraining respondents) from further action on the land.
The judge subsequently adjourned to March 30,2023 to enable the defence to file necessary applications.
