A group of traders from Lagos Island’s Oluwole Market has filed a lawsuit against the Lagos State Government and several state agencies over the demolition of their shops.
Represented by the Lagos Merchandise and Traders Association, the traders are demanding N3.4 billion in compensation, claiming the demolition was illegal and devastated their businesses.
The association, on behalf of itself and 169 other affected traders, has requested the Lagos State High Court at Tafawa Balewa Square to rule that the destruction of their kee-klamp structures in Oluwole Market was unlawful and violated their rights.
In addition to the association, the case includes claims from Babro Ventures Limited and Tosh Limited.
Named as defendants in the lawsuit are the Lagos State Attorney General, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, and Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority.
In their 42-paragraph statement of claim, the traders asserted that they had peacefully occupied and operated their businesses in the kee-klamp structures until April 17, 2024, when officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency arrived, threatening demolition without prior notice.
The traders immediately instructed their lawyer to issue a letter to the authorities on April 18, 2024, requesting them to reconsider, noting that they were not occupying the premises illegally.
According to the claimants, they also met with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Physical Planning on April 18 and 19, 2024, and received verbal assurance that the demolition would not proceed.
However, to their dismay, the kee-klamps were demolished on April 21, 2024, without any warning or opportunity to retrieve their goods, causing significant losses. The traders argue that the demolition has imposed severe hardship on them and now seek judicial intervention and compensation.
In their suit, the claimants seek several reliefs, including: “a declaration that, by the combined effects of the terms of the judgment in suit No. LD/386/91 and the Letter of Allocation of 269 kee-klamps dated January 9, 2006, the leases granted to the first claimant and its members over the kee-klamps at the Oluwole Kee-klamps Market, Lagos Island, still remain valid.
“A declaration that, by the fifth defendant’s letter dated June 3 2006 and subsequent agreement with the second claimant over constructing 91 kee-klamp on the upper decks of Blocks 1, 2, 3, and 4, the lease granted to the second claimant over the kee-klamp still remains valid.
“A declaration that by the fifth defendant’s letter dated June 3, 2006, and subsequent agreement with the third claimant over constructing 91 kee-klamp on the upper decks of Blocks 7, 8, and 10, the lease granted to the third claimant over the kee-klamp is still subsisting.
“Damages of N10,000,000 for each of the owners of the 269 kee-klamp belonging to the first claimant and its members.
“A sum of N412,000,000 in favour of the second claimant, N317,000,000 in favour of the third claimant, and the costs of this action amounting to N5,000,000.”
At the hearing on Friday, November 8, none of the defendants appeared in court, nor did they have legal representation present.
Claimants’ counsel, Silas Ukairo, informed the court that the defendants had been served the necessary court documents as far back as July.
In response, Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi adjourned the case to December 6, 2024, for further proceedings, directing that hearing notices be reserved on the defendants.
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