From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Traders who were previously occupying shops at the popular Kasuwan Barci market in Tudun Wada area of Kaduna city have urged the Kaduna State governor, Dr. Uba Sani to comply with a Court Order, reinstating the traders back to thier shops which were demolished by the State government.
The traders had obtained a court judgment against the State government for demolishing their shops at the Kasuwan Barci market sometimes in 2017.
Following the demolition of the shops, the State government awarded a contract to a private developer for the construction of a modern market in the place.
However, the aggrieved traders later approached a State High Court to seek for redress over the action of the state government.
On September 27, 2022, the Court presided over by Justice Edward Andoo, delivered judgment nullifying the action of the State government.
In the said judgement, the judge said, “by the provisions of section 7 of the 1999 Constitution and other provisions, the state government has no powers to take over the responsibilities of Local Governments in managing and exercising authority over markets”
The Court granted all the prayers by the traders and ordered the State government to adequately compensate and reinstate the traders back to their shops in the market.
According to the Chairman of the demolished Shop Owners, Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano, the court has given judgment in their favour, and urged governor Sani to respect the Court Order.
The call for compliance on Court Order was earlier served on the State government following its failure to obey the Court Order.
The traders whose shops were demolished by the immediate past government had protested the non-enforcement of the Court Order during the administration of governor Nasir El-rufai.
They further expressed displeasure over the latest development, alleging that instead of the State government to obey the Court Order, the government has gone ahead to sell shops to some people, which according to the traders, was a total violation of the Court Order.