By Ismail Auwal
Hundreds of mobile phone marketers at popular Farm Center GSM Market in the ancient city of Kano closed shops at the weekend in protest against two purported quit notices issued to them.
The GSM marketers told Sahelian Times that, one Alhaji Mutari who issued the notice, had requested them to buy the shops they are occupying or quit in 30 days’ time.
However, the shop occupants contended that, the quit notice was inconsistent with the ownership arrangements initially put in place by the state government that allowed them to occupy the shops, devoid of clauses suggesting any form of future revocation.
According to them, since no grounds for ownership revocation, it’s untenable the demand that each occupant should pay N5 million to reclaim the shops.
The protesters also call on the state government to intervene so that the issue is resolved amicably.
A letter from a chamber claiming to be solicitors of Alhaji Saeed Nagudu’s, Barrister Tajudden A. O Funsho says “Kindly be informed that following the major aspects of the sales and ownership of the GSM Market Building with the original owner, you are hereby instructed to make payments for the purchase of the shops you occupy in the event you are interested in purchasing the said shop.”
Adding, “Kindly note that in the event of your inability to pay, you are allowed to bring anyone to make such payment within the allotted time or the shop will be sold to any other interested person.”
The protesters then described the scenario as incomprehensible, pointing out that, they would take every legitimate measure to assert themselves on the issue.
