A Lagos State High Court judge, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, has been commended by a Lagos socio-cultural group, Omo Eko Pataki, a forum of Lagos indigene, for her landmark judgement which barred the All Progressive Congress, APC, National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s daughter, Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, from imposing levies on traders at the Computer Village in Lagos.
In a release signed by the Leader and Trustees of Omo Eko Pataki, Chief Bode George and General Tajudeen Olanrewaju and Mr Gbadebo Dallass, respectively, said Justice Pinheiro earned the accolades and approval of all who believed in a strong, independent judiciary.
The development was coming over a year after Tinubu-Ojo, who is also the Iyaloja-General of Lagos State, reportedly imposed leaders on the traders, who then introduced new levies, sparking series of protests at the Computer Village.
Others who were similarly barred from imposing levies include Mrs. Bisola Azeez, Mr. Adeniyi Olasoji, Nofiu Akinsanya, Tony Ikani and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
The court order ias sequel to a fundamental human rights suit, marked ID/9039MFHR/19, instituted against the five respondents by the five major stakeholders representing the traders at the Computer Village.
While celebrating “Justice Pinhero for her singular courage, fairness and determined will, which will not be intimidated by any influence from the present wielders of power,” Omo Woo Pataki said, “Indeed, the judgement has affirmed that the judiciary is indeed the last hope of the common man.
“An independent judiciary is the lifeblood of all democracies. It restrains the executive and the legislative arms of government from unnecessary intrusion upon the rights of the ordinary citizens.
The group also expressed joy that there are still judges out their who the spirit of the late Justice Joseph Conrad Idowu Taylor still resonates in their hearts.
Omo Eko Pataki added, “It was indeed Justice Taylor, the first Chief Judge of Lagos State, who established the legacy of stern courage, the purity of judicial independence, the firm vision of equity and balance in the hallowed halls of the judiciary.
“We also use this opportunity to urge all market women to reject all illegal levies from any quarters. We live in a democratic society where no one, no matter his or status is above the law.”
