Lagos State High Court has barred Folasade Tinubu-Ojo daughter of former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu and others from imposing levies on traders at the Computer Village, Lagos.
Tinubu-Ojo, Iyaloja-General of Lagos, had allegedly about a year ago imposed leaders on the traders who then introduced new levies, an incident which sparked protests at the Computer Village.
Five major stakeholders that represent Computer Village traders secured the court order in a fundamental human rights suit marked ID/9039MFHR/19.
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.
Ruling on the suit, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro said: “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.”
The leadership of the Computer Village rejoiced over the court ruling in a letter signed by its chairman Timi Famoroti and secretary-general Jerry Mba.
In the letter, 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.
