A Lagos State High Court has barred Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, the
daughter of All Progressives Congress leader, Bola Tinubu, from imposing levies
on traders at the Computer Village, Lagos.
The development comes over a year after Tinubu-Ojo, who is
also the Iyaloja-General of Lagos State reportedly imposed leaders on the
traders who then introduced new levies, a development which sparked a series of
protests at the Computer Village.
Others who were similarly barred from imposing levies
include: Mrs. Bisola Azeez, Mr. Adeniyi Olasoji, Nofiu Akinsanya, Tony Ikani
and the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State.
The order is sequel to a fundamental human rights suit marked ID/9039MFHR/19 instituted against the five respondents by the five major stakeholders that represent the traders at the Computer Village.
The stakeholders representing the traders include: The
Registered Trustees of Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of
Nigeria; Registered Trustees of Phone and Allied Product Dealers Association of
Nigeria; and Registered Trustees of Phone Parts and Accessories Dealers
Association of Nigeria.
Other applicants include: the Registered Trustees of
Association of Caterers, Food and Drinks Vendors of Ogunbiyi Computer Village,
Ikeja, Lagos; Registered Trustees of Ikeja Books, Stationeries and Computer
Association and Azeez Olunrin.
The judgment, which was delivered by Justice Yetunde
Pinheiro read in part, “I find that the 2nd and 3rd respondents’ imposition of
levies on the applicants is illegal, null and void and therefore amounts to a
violation of their fundamental rights.
“Accordingly, it is hereby ordered as thus: The first to
fifth respondents by themselves, agents, levy collectors howsoever called are
restrained from imposing levies and/or fines on the members of the 1st to 5th
applicants at the Ikeja Computer Village in the Ikeja Local Government Area of
Lagos State.”
In a letter titled, ‘Dear members, Our Court Victory against
Iyaloja and Babaloja and Others in Computer Village, Ikeja’, the leadership of
the Computer Village rejoiced over the judgment.
In the letter signed by its Chairman and Secretary-General,
Timi Famoroti and Jerry Mba respectively, members were asked not to pay tax to
Tinubu’s daughter or her representatives.
It read in part, “The implications of this landmark
judgement is that the Iyaloja General, Chief Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, Mrs.
Bisola Azeez, And Mr. Olasoji Adeniyi or their representatives or agents cannot
collect any form of dues, levies or fines from the members of Ikeja Computer
Village Market. Any collection in this regard is illegal.
“We therefore urge you not to submit yourself to any form of
payment, intimidation and extortion. It is your right to defend yourself and
report to your leaders in case there is a violation of your fundamental human
rights.
“Please ensure you document with concrete evidence and
report any breach of your right to your leaders. This will help our legal
action/s against any violators when necessary. We therefore urge every member
to continue to pay your agreed dues to your various associations accordingly.”
Traders were also advised to pay their personal and company
income, taxes, levies and others to the appropriate government agencies at the
national, state and local governments when due.
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