From John Silas, Lagos
President of Ladipo Auto Central Executive Committee (LACEC), Mr Jude Chikere Nwankwo, has stated that the allegation of N40 million against the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment did not emanate from the traders.
He said at no time did the commissioner demand any such amount from the traders.
Nwankwo in a press release said that Ladipo traders are law-abiding citizens and would not indulge in such a malicious accusation.
According to the President of the market, the commissioner was not happy with the traders over some tweets making the rounds that he demanded the some of N40 million from the traders.
“I am the Chairman of Ladpo Market, and I believe that I am the right channel to issue statement pertaining to the market closure, therefore, such claim that the commissioner demanded N40 million from us is not true, we are law-abiding citizens and will never make such allegation against a serving commissioner of Lagos State.
“As the Chairman of Ladipo Auto Market I am debunking that statement, as far as I am concerned the said allegation did not emanate from us.
“I am sure that the said allegation against the Commissioner for Environment did not emanate from Ladipo Market, but perhaps from mischief makers who want to cash in on the situation to tarnish our image before the government.
“Therefore, I am pleading with the commissioner to temper justice with mercy and ignore such allegation. I am telling him authoritatively that such allegation did not come from our office, and I want him to bear with us.”
He disclosed that the market is still closed and pleaded to the government of Lagos State to reopen the market. “As it is now the market is still under lock and key and, I am appealing to the commissioner to open the market as the traders who are bread winners to many families cannot access the market right now.”
