Traders beg I-G to halt demolition of Mpape market

Mpape Old Market Traders on Thursday appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olukayode Egbetokun, to halt the ongoing demolition of the market to serve their means of livelihood.

The traders made the appeal in a petition written to the I-G on behalf of the traders by Dr Sulaiman Usman (SAN) of Gamzaki Law Chambers.

He also emphasised the need for the I-G to order the suspension of the demolition until the matter pending before the High Court is resolved.

Usman said, ” As this is in line with the legal principle that matters pending before a court of law should not be prejudiced by actions taken outside the court’s jurisdiction.”

He also appealed to the I-G to deploy adequate police presence to maintain peace and order, as well as to protect the lives and properties of the affected citizens.

” We write to urgently bring to your attention a grave and pressing situation affecting the community of Mpape Old Market in Bwari Area Council, Abuja, FCT.

” Our means of livelihood are being destroyed through incessant demolition of our shops at Mpape Old Market.

” The ongoing demolition being executed by the Bwari Area Council through the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) have resulted in significant destruction of properties.

“In spite of the pending application for an interlocutory injunction currently before the High Court of FCT, Bwari Division, the demolition operations have continued unabated, ” Umsan said.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that the demolition constituted a severe disregard for the rule of law and the judicial process.

He added, ” Once a dispute has been submitted to the jurisdiction of the court, no party should take any advantage of the legal process by making changes to the status quo of the property.

” And no party should alter the situation in their favour or prejudice the outcome of the lawsuit.”