Trader Slumps At Hearing Of N3.8bn Suit

A suit filed by the Akannimodo International Market Association against the Lagos State Government, was on Monday disrupted as one of the members, Mr. Daramola Adesanya, slumped in court. It was gathered that Adesanya, a septuagenarian, collapsed at the hearing of the suit before Justice Opeyemi Oke of an Ikeja High Court.

slump

The development disrupted the proceedings and the court adjourned hearing of the matter till May 6. Adesanya was later was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, for treatment. Prior to the incident, counsel to the plaintiffs, Mr Tunji Ayanlaja, informed the court that he had filed an application of interlocutory injunction.

Ayanlaja, further asked the court for an interim injunction to restrain the government from carrying out any construction on the land in dispute. Counsel to Lagos State Government, Mr Akinjide Bakare, asked the court for an extension of time to respond to the interlocutory application.

In her ruling, the judge ordered both parties to maintain the status quo. Oke said:”I have carefully considered the applications of both parties, as they should maintain the status quo pending the hearing of the Motion of Interlocutory Injunction.”

The traders, represented by their leaders, Alhaji Adekunle Agbalajobi and Mr Ademola Oyekanmi had sued the government over the alleged forceful demolition of the market situated at Kosofe Local Government Area. They had asked the court to order the government to pay them the sum of N3.8 billion as compensation for the destruction of their goods following demolition of the market.