Justice Ogunsanya of the High Court of Justice, Ikeja has ordered parties in the suit filed by Olorunda-Oyinlola marketmen and women to maintain “status quo” pending the hearing of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction by the Claimants in the suit.
The order was made by the judge on Monday, 25 January, 2021 after the cour heard Adesina Ogunlana, lead counsel to the claimants who informed the court that the 1st defendant, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area had gone ahead and to demolished the Olorunda -Oyinlola Market, which is the subject matter of the suit.
Ogunlana informed the court about the resort to self-help by the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government and the agonies the claimants have gone through due to the destruction of the market.
It will be recalled that the substantive suit with Suit Number ID/9827/LMW/2020 was filed primarily to challenge the defendants from displacing them from their market, built by private means as well as to restrain Amuwo Odofin Local Government, the Federal Housing Authority (the actual landlords of the land on which the Market is sitting) and Lagos State Government in the suit from demolishing the Market among other reliefs.
The matter was filed on Tuesday, 8 December, 2020.
However on Saturday, 12 December, 2020, the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area under the leadership of Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh went ahead, despite the pendency of the suit to demolish the market and
properties worth over N25 billion.
Members of the Olorunda/Oyinlola market expressed their determination to see the matter to the very end and advised the defendants, particularly the first defendant (Amuwo Odofin LG) to respect the ruling of court in the matter
Further proceedings in the matter was adjourned to Monday, 22 February, 2021.
