Emmanuel Thomas l Thursday, January 19, 2023
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – Not less than three traders have died in less than one week, following the decision of the Lagos State Government to intensify demolition of 795 shops at the Alaba Mile 12 market in contravention of court order.
Yeye Precious Modupe Ojo, the market leader at the Alaba section of the Mile 12 market, who thronged the Lagos High Court in Ikeja, with over 500 traders gave the names of the three traders that died as a result of shock as Mujidat Suleiman, Adejoke Olawole and Ademola, she said, adding that the children they left behind are with them in the struggle.
Ojo, who traced genesis of the incident to 26th of October, when a notice of contravention was pasted in the market, said the Lagos State Government 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 Tinubu refused to plead in behalf of those affected but urged them to collect forms and make payment.
“I 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 said, adding that the traders want the govt to stop demolition.
“ Let us sit on the table and talk, they should compensate our people. We welcome innovation, we don’t want war”, she said in tears.
Also speaking, a leader in the electronic section, Mr. Titus Ezeugo, who said he is now 70 years old said the land was allocated to them by the Lagos State Government and that they developed the market with private money.
He said they have papers of allocation with receipts of payment, adding that the Lagos state government should tell them what they want and that they will be able to upgrade the market to the level they want. He wonders what will become of his fate now that his shops have been demolished, Otunba Jaye Lawson, the contractor , whose company JDON Global Investment Ltd, built the Alaba Mile 12 Market in 1995 said. 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 without defaulting and that some of those who collected loans have not been able to offset the loans.
He said the market was approved by the Lagos State Government and asked what he and his family will live on now that he is at retirement age. He is calling for justice for his people.
Also speaking, Lawyer to the traders, Mr. Mutiu Quadri from G Kolawole& Co described the incident as a humanitarian crisis. According to him, the shops, which is the only means of livelihood of the traders were illegally destroyed overnight on the basis of an order from Ikosi Isheri LCDA. “It is sad because this is her constituency, given that this is an election period, putting the poor people in a state of economic doldrum”, he said.
He described the development as very painful, adding that those carrying out the illegal demolition may have forgotten that the property was acquired originally from Somolu Local Government, and later Ikosi Isheri and now Kosofe LCDA.
He said the property was legally acquired and developed with private resources. He is calling for justice. He said the interim injunction been extended to March 30, adding that he will now commence contempt of court proceedings against the Lagos state government and the other defendants in the suit.
During the hearing today, the presiding Judge (Justice Oluyemi) extended the Interim Injunction granted in favour of the Traders in Mile 12 Market, Ikosi-Isheri, till the 30th of March 2023, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.
M.G QUADRI however told the court that despite the Order of Court the respondents are still Constructing on the Land known has Alaba Section, Mile 12 Market, ikosi-isheri.
Justice Oluyemi gave very strong warnings to the Respondents Council to desist from disobeying her order and threatened Prison Time on anyone who violates the Courts Order.
The Matter has been adjourned to the 30th of March.
The Traders in the Mile 12 Market are very well pleased with today’s proceedings as they could be seen jubilating around the Court premises in their hundreds.
