According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Traders, represented by Mrs. Sherifat Abeke, Alhaji Garba Malam, and Orji Onuoha, have made allegations that the local government has issued threats to seize control of the market under the guise of dismantling and rebuilding it.
During the hearings held on Friday, Justice Idowu Akinkunmi expressed the view that it would be advantageous to promote a mutually agreeable resolution amongst the Parties Involved.
Akinkunmi postponed the proceedings till October 23rd in order to receive a report on the settlement.
In a previous statement, Mr. Mutiu Quadri, acting on behalf of the complainants (traders), informed the Court that the legal representatives of both sides convened on Thursday and made progress in their discussions.
We respectfully request that the court grant us an extension of time to allow for further deliberations among the involved parties.
Quadri stated that the lawyers had convened, but, the parties involved have not yet convened.
The legal representative for the local government, Mr. Tope Kolawole, further affirmed to the court that the attorneys representing both sides had indeed convened, although additional time was deemed necessary for the plaintiffs and the defendant to engage in discussions.
Kolawole expressed that the debate held yesterday was productive, resulting in the formulation of proposed terms. However, Kolawole respectfully requests the court to grant additional time for the parties involved to convene and further deliberate.
On September 28th, the court issued an injunction mandating the local authority to convene a reconciliation meeting with the dealers.
The court issued a directive for the parties involved to engage in discussions pertaining to the demolition and subsequent restoration of the market. Additionally, the court ordered an expedited hearing of the lawsuit.
The traders initiated legal proceedings, specifically suit LD/70789CM/2022, against the local government and the attorney-general and commissioner for justice of Lagos State, identified as the first and second respondents, respectively.
