Computer Village stakeholders kick against extortion, say Folashade violates the law
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Market associations in the ranks of the Incorporated Trustees of Computer Village Market Traders and Stakeholders Joint Management (ITCVMTSJM) in Ikeja have issued a “cease and desist” notice to Folashade Tinubu-Ojo over imposition of levies.
They issued the warning in reaction to a notice dated August 28 sent to them by the self-appointed Iyaloja-General of Lagos, who is the first daughter of President Bola Tinubu,
The legal notice formally served on behalf of the associations by Falana and Falana’s Chamber addresses multiple grievances the traders have against Folasade, particularly the unlawful collection of levies and disruption of market activities through the use of thugs.
Tinubu’s first son Seyi is reportedly also in charge of outdoor advertising billboards in the state, which attract levies, and it is on record his nephew Wale Tinubu, the Chief Executive Officer Oando Oil.
News broke about two weeks ago of how Wale Tinubu owns or has interest in OVH, a firm which acquired the retail arm of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), a deal the patriarch Tinubu helped facilitate, being the President and Petroleum Minister.
That prompted former President Atiku Abubakar to accuse Tinubu of mortgaging the future of Nigeria to himself, his family members, and cronies.
Atiku compared Tinubu’s efforts at the federal level to his integration of his business interests into public enterprises in Lagos.
“Just as Alpha Beta, Primero, and others act as Tinubu’s proxies in Lagos, managing critical sectors and generating revenue for him and his family, he has begun to replicate this at the federal level,” Atiku said.
It is public knowledge that Tinubu established Alpha Beta through proxies while he was Lagos Governor (1999-2017) to collect taxes for the state, from which the firm gets a 15 per cut.
That percentage now amounts to N15 billion monthly from the N60 billion the Lagos Stage government currently makes as internally generated revenue (IGR) per month.
Tinubu critics have noted that after deducting for overheads, Alpha Beta delivers at least N1 billion to him monthly from its N15 cut from the sweat of Lagosians who are groaning under multiple taxations.
Legal fight
The notice Folashade sent to Computer Village traders came despite a previous court ruling restraining her from such a move, and the traders allege she continues to meddle in their operations, causing significant disruptions.
ITCVMTSJM, a legally registered entity under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), comprises several groups, including 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 letter from Falana Chambers disclosed that the traders secured a favourable ruling from an Ikeja High Court in December 2020 in Suit No. ID/9039MFHR/19.
The court order permanently restrained Folashade and her agents from imposing and collecting any levies within Computer Village, citing a lack of legal basis for such actions.
Regardless, the traders alleged, she continues to engage in actions that infringe on their rights, including renting thugs to disrupt lawful gatherings and pressuring the traders’ business partners to make payments directly to her.
“Our client is not unaware that you have contacted our client’s several partners to make their commitments to you,” said the notice signed by Taiwo Olawanle and Adebayo Oniyelu of Falana and Falana’s Chambers.
“We have instructions to warn against any further demand or communication to our client’s partners including but not limited to Oppo, Proview, Samsung, Big and Bold et al because the commodity association of the Women and Men Market Association which is the basis of your appointment by the Lagos State Government has no membership in Computer Village.”
Background to legal fight
The traders also raised concerns about Abisola Azeez, who was purported appointed Iyaloja of Computer Village under Folasade’s sanction. The traders assert that Azeez has no shop or stake in Computer Village, further questioning the legitimacy of her role.
The notice draws attention to the limitations of Folashade’s powers under the Lagos State Market Advisory Council Law.
It also:
- Said the law, particularly under Section 8, does not grant her the authority to collect levies or interfere in the internal affairs of markets such as Computer Village.
- Argued that even if her office had such powers, Computer Village is not covered under the referenced law.
- Warned Folashade against any further interference, stressing that continued violations will result in the pursuit of all available legal remedies, including claims for costs incurred.
Computer Village is the latest chapter in the struggle over one of the most significant commercial conurbations in Lagos. It is ranked the largest ICT market in West Africa and adds more than N300 billion to the state economy yearly.
The traders vehemently kicked against the appointment of an Iyaloja for them in 2019, insisting the technological and commercial hub is being regulated by the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation, without the need for an Iyaloja to regulate their activities.
They also argued that Computer Village is a modern market and there is no relationship between technology and traditionalists.
The appointment of Azeez was not rescinded.
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