BY Monsur Olowoopejo
LAGOS —Traders at Abibatu Mogaji Mini-market in Oshodi have accused the state government of flouting the rule of law by their demolition of the market effected by the Task Force of the state Ministry of Environment.

The traders, numbering hundreds, who staged a peaceful protest to the Ministry of Information, Alausa, alleged that the state government had committed illegality by demolishing the market named after the mother of immediate past governor of the state, Senator Bola Tinubu.

Spokesman of the protesting traders, Mr. Kolawole Alabi, explained that since the major market they had been using was closed in 2000, the mini-market had served as alternative for their business activities which had now been demolished without any prior notice by officials of the state government.

He stated further that traders were surprised that the state government could take the action while a suit filed in respect of the market was still pending at an Igbosere High Court in Lagos.

Alabi also pointed out that the demolition exercise had caused them untold hardship, stressing that the action had resulted in the inability of the traders to repay loans obtained from Micro-finance banks and cater for the needs of their families.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Lateef Aderemi Ibirogba, while responding on behalf of the state government, urged the protesting traders to dialogue with the developers of the market rather than stage a protest to the Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja.

The commissioner assured them that the state government would speedily look into their grievances, with a view to resolving the matter.