Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi of the Lagos State High Court has issued a stern warning to the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation. The agencies are facing a lawsuit over the demolition of shops in Oluwole Market on Lagos Island.
The traders, represented by the Lagos Merchandise and Traders Association, are seeking N3.4 billion in compensation for the alleged illegal demolition of their businesses. They claim that the destruction of their shops was wrongful, unlawful, and unconstitutional.
The defendants failed to appear in court or file a defense, prompting Justice Ogunjobi to threaten judgment against them. The judge ordered that hearing notices be sent to the defendants, warning that if they fail to appear, he will enter judgment against them.
The case has been adjourned until January 17, 2025, for further proceedings. The traders claim that they had been in peaceful possession of the shops until officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency threatened to demolish them without notice.
In their defense, the defendants claim that the traders were lessees who owed them N11,280,200 as of 2021. They also stated that the demolition was carried out without their knowledge, resulting in irreparable loss of revenue.
