Court Throws Out Traders, Butchers From Oyo Market

Following a ruling of an Oyo State High Court, scores of traders and butchers at the newly constructed Wazobia (Wazo) market in Ogbomoso were on Friday locked out of their shops.

This was sequel to the execution of the judgment of the High Court sitting in Ogbomoso, on 26th August, 2024 which ruled in favour of J.A. Ladeji and Sons (Nig). Ltd., the firm claiming possession of the land.

The plaintiff had instituted the case to recover the 1.875 hectare land from the state government which allocated it earlier in the year to butchers through Ogbomoso North local government.

Justice K.B. Olawoyin in a judgement delivered on 26th August, 2024 granted an order in favour of the claimant against the defendant for the claimant to take over the parcel of land.

Olawoyin in the judgment said, “Consequently, I find and hold that the claimant has satisfied the requirements of Order 63 of the Rules of this Court, 2022 and is entitled to Summary Judgement for possession of the land in dispute (i.e. the landed property) in this suit.

“Accordingly, the claimant’s claim succeeds and I hereby grant an order in favour of the claimant against the defendant for the claimant to take over possession of the parcel of land situate, lying and being along Ilorin Road, Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

“The land which covers an area of approximately 1.875 hectares on Plan No. EBS7691 embedded in Certificate of Statutory Right of Occupancy dated 5th February, 1981 and registered as No. 34 at page 34 in Volume 2357 at the Lands Registry, Ibadan issued in favour of J. A. Ladeji & Sons (Nig) Limited forthwith on the ground that the claimant is entitled to possession from each of the occupiers and that each person in occupation is in occupation without the license or consent of the claimant.”

On Friday, after obtaining a “warrant for possession” the judgment enforcement unit of the Oyo State High Court under the Chief Bailiff stormed the market to take possession of the section.

The enforcement unit was accompanied by some security operatives.

The takeover of the section made it difficult for the butchers and other traders to have access to the facility on Friday.

Possession taken by High Court were pasted at strategic locations in the Market, while the traders were finding it difficult to have access to their shops as of the time of filing this report on Saturday.