Traders sue Lagos over eviction notice, demand N50m

Following the eviction notice issued to the Hausa/Fulani traders at Alaba Rago Market by the Lagos State government, the traders have filed a suit before a Federal High Court, Lagos.

Aside from Lagos government, others joined in the suit, as respondents are, the Inspector General of Police, the Commander, Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force).

The applicants are claiming the sum of N50 millions as damages from the respondents for allegedly discriminating against them as Hausa/Fulani. The suit was filed by Alhaji HusaiiI Muhammed Lajawa, Alhaji Hamisu Mansur, Alhaji Muhammed Aminu and Pastor J.T. Assan as plaintiffs.

They are seeking for an order of court for a “declaration that the removal notice pasted only on the applicants at the market, who are Nigerians of the Hausa/Fulani extraction on the basis of their tribe while none was served on the Igbo and Yoruba who occupy Alaba International Market and Tanzan Market respectfully is discriminatory and a breach of their fundamental right as guaranteed by Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution.

“A declaration that the removal notice pasted on the applicant’s properties at Alaba Rago Market, without following due process, is unlawful and a breach of the applicant’s right to properties as guaranteed by Section 43 of the 1999 Constitution.

“A declaration that the removal notice pasted on the applicants property at the market who are Nigeria of the Hausa/Fulani extraction without any justifiable reason and thereby denying the applicants of their means of livelihood and in breach of the applicants fundamental right to life as provided and guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution,” they prayed.

In a 22-paragraph affidavit filed in support of their motion on notice by their counsel, O.K. Salawu and S.A. Salaudeen, the traders are praying the court for an order of injunction, restraining the respondents from removing the applicants from their market at Alaba Rago, Ojo Local Council of Lagos State without any alternative.

“An order of injunction restraining the respondent from demolishing the Alaba Rago Market where the applicants carry on their businesses and validly allocated to them by the respondents,” the applicants swore. Hearing date has not been fix by the court but all parties have been served the court processes.