The traders and shopowners of the Abibatu Mogaji Plaza, Gorodomu, Lagos Island, have been ecstatic since they got their landmark judgment in the case of Alhaja Sherifat Balogun & 9 Ors v. Abu Ishola, Lagos Island West, Kofeniola Entreprises Limited and the Attorney General of Lagos State
The traders at the plaza had been subjected to a debasement of their Constitutional rights to property and fair hearing by the 1st to the 3rd Respondents in the matter mentioned above. They had their properties worth several millions of naira wantonly destroyed while they were issued stern warnings to leave the plaza they lawfully paid for, unceremoniously.
The traders, being aggrieved, approached the Court and filed a fundamental rights action and had their counsels in the persons of Teri Wellington ESQ, who represented Wahab Shittu SAN, Sodiq Kamoru ESQ and Wole Ariyibi ESQ conduct their matter before the Honourable Court.
On the 8th Day of October, 2024, Justice Akinkunmi O. Idowu of the High Court of Lagos State Holden at Ikeja delivered a landmark ruling that brought reprieve to the traders as follows:
The Actions of the 1st to the 3rd Respondents and the unknown persons at their behest in trying to forcefully evict the traders/shop owners amounted to a breach of their fundamental rights to fair hearing and property;
An Injunction was granted which prevents the 1st to 3rd Respondent and any one deriving authority from them expressly or impliedly from interfering with the use of the plaza by the Applicants by self-help.
The 1st to 3rd Respondents were ordered to pay the sum of NGN5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) being damages payable for the violation of the rights to property, human dignity, and personal liberty of the Applicants as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
This decision is a testament to the saying that the Courts are the last hope of common persons. The enforcement of the judgment of the Court is underway.
Find a copy of the judgment and ruling enclosed.
Source: Loyalnigerialawyer
