The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has scheduled the 17th of March, 2026, for the continuation of a suit by traders of Owode Onirin Old Motor Spare Parts Market challenging the demolition of their shops.
The traders are contesting a 20th of June, 2024 ruling, which they say was used to justify the partial demolition of the market in August 2025. They want the court to nullify that decision.
Members of the Agbajowo Market Association, who trade along Ikorodu Road, Mile 12, Lagos, told the court that the Lagos State Government officially allocated the market to them in 1979.
Through their lawyer, Femi Falana, they also requested to be joined in a previous suit filed by Bolaji Olowu against the Shomolu and Kosofe Local Government Councils, which ended in a 1998 judgment. The traders argued they were not served court documents in the original matter and that an ex parte application led to the disputed ruling without their knowledge.
When the case was called on Friday, the 27th of February, 2026, the court did not hear the joinder request.
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Counsel to the judgment creditors, Olabode Oladimeji, had not paid the required default fees for filing a counter-affidavit out of time.
Justice Akintunde Savage said the application was not ready for hearing and awarded N25,000 in costs against the judgment creditor in favor of the judgment debtors.
After the court’s remarks, Falana said he would petition the Chief Judge over the matter and requested the removal of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s photograph from the courtroom, arguing it could intimidate litigants suing the state government. The court adjourned the matter to the 17th of March.