At last, affidavit vendors evicted from ‘justice’ backyard

SANITY seems to have been restored around the premises of the Ikeja High Court and the Area F Police College, as the ‘affidavit touts’ who had become a permanent feature around the premises have been evacuated.

An edition of Weekend Lagos was dedicated to this affront which had defied past official efforts to take criminality off the backyard of justice.

Before now, it was a “real” sight, as the affidavit touts comprising old and young men and women, and even youths and teenagers, had a field day, harassing motorists and passersby, calling out their wares in loud voices.

Past Chief Judges had tried to stop the menace but the problem persisted, even getting worse during the recession, as the high unemployment rate forced many more people into the business.

The renewed efforts of the Area F and the Lagos State Chief Judge following our special report, eventually paid off as the touts simply disappeared into thin air, following official actions.

The Mango tree where they used to gather to ply their trade was cut down. They resorted to standing under the shade of umbrellas, but they were chased away as flowers were planted along the sidewalks.

Eko Akete says kudos to the authorities and hopes there won’t be a “return of the Mark”.