Jos High Court on Tuesday 13th September granted a perpetual injunction restraining Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State from rebuilding the burnt Jos main market.
The ruling was granted by President Judge Justice PS Gang on Tuesday in a suit filed on the 2nd August 2022 by Member Representing Jos South/Jos East in the House of Representatives Abuja Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos, challenged Governor Simon Lalong, the State Government, the Attorney General of Plateau State, and the Commissioner for Justice on the planned signing of an MOU with Jaiz Bank to rebuild the Jos Main Market.
Hon. Bagos had through his Counsel Barr. Darong Niri raise four issues for determination before the court and sought seven reliefs and the court granted all seven reliefs.
Justice Gang in his ruling granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining Governor Simon Lalong, Plateau state government, and Attorney General and commissioner of Justice from running, managing building, or entering into any agreement or partnership to build any market in Plateau State, particularly the Jos Main Market.
The Judge also granted that any agreement by the Plateau State Governor, Plateau State Government, and Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice to build any Market in Plateau State and particularly Jos Main Market without complying with the mandatory provisions of sections 31 to 70 of the Plateau State Public-private partnership law, 2017 is unlawful, illegal, null and void. Stating that the defendants have no powers whatsoever to run, manage, build and enter into any agreement to build or manage any market in Plateau state, particularly the Jos Main Market.
It is important to note that Governor Simon Lalong had earlier promised to lead the process of recalling National Assembly members who are standing against the rebuilding of the burnt Jos Main Market by Jaiz Bank
