A Lagos High Court, Ikeja, presided over by Justice Idowu Akinkunmi, has granted an extension of time for the Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, LGA, to hold a reconciliation meeting with the aggrieved traders of White Sand Market, Otto, Oyinbo, Lagos State.
It would be recalled that the traders, through their representatives, Mrs Sherifat Thanni, Alhaji Garba Malam and Orji Onuoha had alleged that the local government issued a threat to take over the market from them on the pretext of demolishing and reconstructing it.
During proceedings on the matter, Justice Akinkunmi declared that it was expedient to encourage an amicable settlement between the parties, just as she adjourned the matter until October 23, 2023, for a report of settlement.
Before the case was adjourned, Mr Mutiu Quadri, who represented the complainants (traders), hinted to the court that the counsel to both parties had a meeting and arrived at a certain resolution.
According to Quadri, "We, however, urge the court to give us more time for the parties to meet. The lawyers have met, but the parties are yet to meet”.
Even, counsel to the LGA, Mr Tope Kolawole, confirmed the development and added that additional time is needed for the complainants and the respondent to meet.
Kolawole said, "We had a fruitful discussion, and we have turned up proposed terms, but we plead with the court for more time for the parties to meet”.
Justice Akinkunmi had on September 28 ordered that the LGA should hold a reconciliation meeting with the traders.
The court specifically directed the parties to deliberate on issues regarding the demolition and reconstruction of the market, and also ordered an accelerated hearing of the suit.
The legal action designated LD/70789CM/2022 was instituted by the traders against the LGA and the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice as the first and second respondents, respectively.
Justice Akinkunmi had on June 22 granted an interim injunction on a motion exparte filed by the aggrieved traders, restraining the defendants/respondents and their agents, servants, or privies from entering, letting, demolishing, and building on the land known as White Sand Market, Otto, Oyingbo, Lagos State during the lifespan of the order which shall be for seven days.
In their motion ex-parte brought pursuant to Order 42 Rules 1 and 4 and Order 43 of the Lagos State Civil Procedure Rules, Section 1 of the pre-emptive remedies section of the practice direction No 2 of 2019, and under Section 34, 36, and 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court, the claimants/applicants (Sherifat Abeke, Alhaja Garba Malam, Orji Uke Onuoha) through their application dated June 14, 2023, prayed Justice Akinkunmi to issue an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, their agents, servants, privies and/or any other person howsoever described from entering the land known as White Sand Market, Otto, Oyingbo, Lagos State, pending the determination of the suit.
The court also ordered the council agents, servants, privies and/or any other person howsoever described from letting out the land known as White Sand Market, Otto, Oyingbo, Lagos State, pending the determination of the suit.
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