NAN-H-62
Suit
By Veronica Dariya
Abuja, Dec.13, 2016 (NAN) Some Abuja-based traders on Tuesday filed fresh suit seeking N500 million compensation each against FCT minister and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for allegedly denying them access to shop allocations.
The suit, filed by the their counsel, Sepiribo Peters, at FCT High Court in Kubwa wanted
a court declaration that the plaintiffs (1,116 traders) were entitled to occupy and use allocated shops at the Wuye Ultra Modern market.
The suit also seeks an order directing the defendants to pay each plaintiff N500 million as compensation and exemplary damages for unconstitutional, illegal and unlawful denial of the plaintiffs access to the shops.
The suit indicated that the traders, who were formally at Wuse Central Market were
offered a letter of provisional offer of shop and spaces by the defendants in 2001 in the sum of N2000, N8000 and N12,000, depending on the shop category.
However, the plaintiffs were later denied the allocation which led to an earlier suit
no CV/ 440/12, filed before Justice O.A Musa of FCT High Court, Apo in 2015.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on April 29, 2015, Musa gave judgment in favour of the plaintiffs, which stated that they were entitled to occupy and use the shops in Wuye Ultra Modern market.
He also ordered the defendants to restrain from reallocating or give possession of the spaces to any other party.
Earlier, Counsel to the defendants, Mrs Regina Ofondu, had told the court that she was served on Friday, Dec.9, therefore, has 14 days to respond, according to the law.
The presiding judge, Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya, then adjourned hearing in the matter until Jan. 23, 2017. (NAN)
DVK/HA
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Edited by Hadiza ohammed-Aliyu