A coalition of 18 trade unions at the Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, has protested against alleged imposition of illegal levies on traders by the President-General of the Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo.
Mrs Tinubu-Ojo is the daughter of All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former governor of Lagos, Bola Tinubu.
It was learnt that the traders began protesting since June 1, shutting the market pending resolution of the issues.
Tinubu-Ojo, the Iyaloja General, had in May 2019 installed Adeniyi Olasoji and Abisola Azeez as Babaloja and Iyaloja of Computer Village respectively, despite protests against the move.
It was gathered that the new market leaders allegedly introduced new levies.
Spokesperson for the coalition of trade unions in Computer Village, Nonso Bethel, told PUNCH that the new leadership empowered hoodlums to start charging fees besides taxes.
“For instance, as a stall owner, if you take delivery of goods from the airport and you are bringing them into the market, the touts will collect N500 from the porter carrying them for you. If the goods are in your car, you will pay N2,000. But if you used a truck, they will collect N5,000,” he said.
Mr Bethel said the traders endured the charges until they were asked to start paying N50 every day and then N1,000 monthly.
Tinubu-Ojo could not be reached for comments, however, it was learnt that union leaders had begun talks with her on resolving the crisis.
