Traders urged to report erring policemen

 

Alaba International Market traders, Ojo, Lagos State, have been urged to report erring policemen to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni.

This warning was sounded by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Dolapo Badmus.

She issued the warning after traders from Alaba Market alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Ojo Police Station, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Mr. Abubakar Umoru, was extorting them.

Reacting to their allegation, Badmus, said: “There was a peaceful protest last week by members of the market against some of their fellow traders and not against the DPO! Policemen led by the Area Commander monitored the protest and it was in no way violent. However, if anyone has complaint about any policeman being partisan to affairs or politics of the market, they should bring it to the notice of the Commissioner of Police. It will be investigated and anyone found culpable will be sanctioned.”

The traders alleged that Umoru compromised his position when he insisted that the traders should pay the sum of N300, 000 levies per shop to their Union Chairman, Mr. Emeka, in an ongoing matter marked as suit No BD/90/2013, pending before Justice M.A. Okikiolu-Ighile of the Lagos High Court, sitting in Badagry.

The traders had also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, over the matter.

The petition, dated April 13^th, 2016 accused Umoru of ordering some protesting traders to pay the rent of their shops to the chairman, of Fancy and Furniture Dealers Association, of the Alaba International Market, Ojo Lagos State, pending the determination of the suit which was already in court.

The traders described the DPO’s suggestion as “wanton disrespect of the court as well as obstruction of the due administration of Justice.”

The traders implored Arase to call the DPO to order as well as ensure that the Rule of Law prevails in the market.

Reacting, Umoru denied any wrong doing, insisting that he had ordered the Union Chairman to unlock all the affected shops since the matter was in court.

It would be recalled that recently over 600 traders at the popular Alaba International Market Lagos, protested alleged eviction and unlawful lock-up of their shops by thugs working for the market union.

The traders alleged that the union controlling their section of the market, tagged Fancy and Furniture, were compelling them to pay N300, 000 levies per shop in disregard to ongoing court matter between their Landlords.