Lagos Computer Village Traders Demand End To Levies Imposed By Folashade Tinubu-Ojo
The Incorporated Trustees of Computer Village Market Traders and Stakeholders Joint Management, representing a coalition of market associations in Ikeja’s Computer Village, have issued a cease and desist notice to Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja-General of Lagos. The notice addresses grievances over her alleged imposition of levies on the market.
The notice, dated August 28, 2024, was served by Falana and Falana’s Chambers on behalf of the traders. It outlines the traders’ complaints against Mrs. Tinubu-Ojo, who is the daughter of President Bola Tinubu. They accuse her of unlawfully collecting levies and using thugs to disrupt market activities, despite a court ruling prohibiting such actions.
The Incorporated Trustees of Computer Village Market Traders and Stakeholders Joint Management is a legally registered entity under the Company and Allied Matters Act. The association includes various groups, such as the Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (PAPDA), the Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association (COMTEAN), and the Association of Mobile Communication Devices Engineers and Technicians (AMCODET).
The traders secured a favorable ruling from an Ikeja High Court in December 2020, which permanently restrained Tinubu-Ojo and her agents from imposing or collecting any levies within Computer Village. However, they claim that she has continued to interfere in their operations, causing significant disruptions. The traders allege that she has pressured their business partners to make payments directly to her and has instigated thugs to disrupt their lawful activities.
The traders also raised concerns about Mrs. Abisola Azeez, who was appointed as the Iyaloja of Computer Village under Tinubu-Ojo’s authority. They assert that Mrs. Azeez has no shop or stake in the market, questioning the legitimacy of her role.
The notice emphasizes the limitations of Tinubu-Ojo’s powers under the Lagos State Market Advisory Council Law, noting that the law does not grant her authority to collect levies or interfere in the internal affairs of markets like Computer Village. The traders argue that even if such powers existed, Computer Village is not covered under the referenced law.
Falana and Falana’s Chambers, on behalf of the traders, warned Tinubu-Ojo against further interference, stating that continued violations will lead to legal action, including claims for costs incurred.
This development is the latest in the ongoing conflict over control of Lagos State’s prominent commercial hub. In 2019, traders strongly opposed the appointment of an Iyaloja for Computer Village, arguing that the market, regulated by the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation, did not require traditional oversight. Despite their objections, the appointment was not rescinded.
Computer Village, the largest ICT market in West Africa, contributes over N300 billion to the economy annually.
