The executives of the Association of Artisan Traders,
Powerline Bus-stop Igando Road, came to our office in their pools of blood
demanding that we help them get justice for the injustice meted out to them by
the Executive Secretary of Ikotun-Egbe LCDA Hon. Olowoopejo and the son of Oba
of Isheri better known as Omo Oba. They made us to understand that the
government had refused any serious kind of solid structure under the
high-tension and they just stay there to do their vulcanizing, washing of car,
petty trading etc. Evidence and receipt for the land use taxes which they all
had paid for the year were also tendered to us. Suddenly, they saw the Omo Oba
and the Executive Secretary came to serve the association letter to leave the
place in a week. They held meeting and wrote them back with photocopies of the
payment receipt the very next day but it was not honored. They went to the
police station (Area M) to make a report, which they sent an officer Mr. Okon
who came and inspected there, promising they will handle it but nothing was
done and on the said date those people were all beaten to almost point of
death, caterpillar was used to destroy their table, canters, equipment etc. We
snap them and asked them to go for treatment at Akowonjo health center. We
wrote to the governor, his Excellency Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, to look into it as
a father, also letters were sent to the Speaker, House of Assembly and Comm.
sOf Police etc. We implored them to stay calm even though they have started the
building already, we were monitoring and within two weeks a couple of blocks of
shops where ready for rent. We went there to enquire about the rent; the Omo Oba
himself told us we will buy two shops for N2.5m, while single shop goes for
N1.4m. We asked what if the government comes and destroy it after payment, he
said we should pray we recover our money before then.
We wrote another letter to the office of the governor and
after two weeks, we got information that the government will come to demolish
those building the very next day. That very next day though it rained heavily
from the previous night, the demolition trucks came pulling down all those
building people had fully paid for and filled with goodies, despite the warning
that we give when we came there, even the reporters from Punch and The Point
newspapers that featured the story warned the public not to get involved in it.
From Isheri to Council roundabout, the exercise continued.
The association members were happy for justice meted out by
the government of his Excellency Gov. Ambode to the defaulters. Other
discussions went on concerning how they will be compensated.