Market Demolition: Court Warns Lagos, Others Against Disobeying Order

A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has warned the state government not to test the powers of the court by disobeying its order stopping it from further demolishing 795 shops in the Alaba section of the Mile 12 market.

Justice Lateef Atinuke Oluyemi, who gave the warning, had on January 11, 2023, ordered parties in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Orirere Commodity Leaders and Traders Association to maintain status quo ante, pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

Other plaintiffs in the suit are Yeye Precious Modupe Ojo, Alhaji Akinwale Jimoh and Babatunde Adetula instituted the suit against the Lagos State government.

While the defendants in the suit are Kosofe Local Government/Ikosi Isheri local council aevelopment area, Dr Chris Onyekachi; Total Value Integrated Services Limited, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.

However, at the resumed hearing of the matter, the lawyer to the plaintiffs, Gbolahan Quadri, informed the court that, despite the subsisting order, the respondents were still constructing on the land known as Alaba Section, Mile 12 Market, Ikosi-Isheri.

The development made Justice Oluyemi give a very strong warning to the respondents to desist from disobeying the court order while threatening to commit anyone who violates the order to prison for contempt.

A lawyer who appeared for the respondent prayed to the court to give them time to file necessary applications and their response to the suit.

The judge  adjourned the case to March 30, 2023, to enable the defendants to file their reply to the suit.