The Iyaloja-General of Lagos State, Folashade Ojo, has been accused of abuse of power by traders. It was gathered that some traders were allegedly forced to part with their hard-earned money because they did not comply with the directive given by the Iyaloja General that all stalls in some selected markets were to be closed for a rally, which took place to support Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition two weeks ago.
Some market women were allegedly forced to pay a fine of N5,000 each after the rally for failing to comply with the ‘order from above’. Businessmen and women, especially in Alaba International Market, were affected. They had to pay the fine in order to avoid losing customers. Members of the Lagos State Park Management Committee were allegedly sent to deal with defaulters.
They prevented the latter from transacting business until the levies were paid. A video of one of the alleged members preventing a woman from entering the market surfaced online last week. Market men and women said that most decisions to close a market were usually made by the Iyaloja-General to commemorate a national event or for political purposes. They complained about the ease of doing business and questioned why markets should be closed because of political rallies.
