The Lagos High Court, Ikeja division, on Friday adjourned the hearing of an application filed by traders of the Owode Onirin Old Motor Spare Parts Market until March 17 over the 2025 demolition of their shops.

They seek to set aside the court’s June 20, 2024, ruling, which they claim led to the alleged invasion and demolition of parts of the market in August 2025.

The applicants, members of the Agbajowo Market Association, operate within the Owode Onirin Old Motor Spare Parts Market, Mile 12, Ikorodu Road, Lagos State.

They said the market was allocated to them by the Lagos State government in 1979.

Represented by their counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), the traders are also seeking to be joined in the suit.

They argued that they were not served any court process in the original suit filed by Bolaji Olowu against Shomolu and Kosofe Local Government Councils, in which judgment was delivered in 1998.

According to them, the court was misled into granting the ruling following an ex parte application by parties to the original suit.

The court said the hearing of the joinder application was stalled because counsel to the judgment creditors, Olabode Oladimeji, failed to pay default fees for the late filing of his counter-affidavit.

Justice Akintunde Savage held that the application was not ripe for hearing.

He awarded N25,000 in costs against the judgment creditor in favour of the judgment debtors.

Following the judge’s advice, Mr Falana said he would petition the chief judge on the matter.

During proceedings, the senior advocate urged the court to remove the photograph of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu from the courtroom, describing it as menacing for any litigant pursuing a case against the state government.

The case was adjourned until March 17 for a hearing.

(NAN)