Members of the Coalition of Associations in the Ikeja Information and Communications Technology accessories market, popularly known as Computer Village, have accused the Babaloja and Iyaloja (market leaders) of sabotaging foreign investment opportunities by disrupting a recent visit by Thai delegates.

In a statement jointly signed by its president, Timi David; secretary, Jerry Mba; and spokesperson, D.S. Ademola, sent to PUNCH Metro on Monday, the coalition described the incident as a deliberate attempt to stifle progress in the market.

It said the disruption occurred despite a court order restraining the market board, led by the Iyaloja, Abisola Azeez; the Babaloja, Adeniyi Olasoji, and other board members, from interfering in the affairs of the associations.

According to the coalition, on Monday, June 23, 2025, foreign partners from the Thailand Embassy visited Computer Village at the invitation of the coalition’s executive to discuss potential business collaborations with local traders.

“The Iyaloja of Computer Village, illegally and unconstitutionally, came with some unknown faces to disrupt the meeting and visitation while ongoing,” the group stated.

They criticised the Babaloja’s actions, saying his conduct was at odds with the Federal Government’s drive to attract foreign investment under the Renewed Hope agenda.

“This unwarranted and illegal disruption may deter future investors and partners, ultimately affecting the livelihoods of the business community,” they stated.

The coalition stressed that the right to free association and movement is protected under the Nigerian Constitution and warned the Babaloja and the board to stop their “illegal show of power.”

“We urge the Iyaloja and Babaloja of Computer Village to respect the Constitution of Nigeria and the market’s interests and allow for peaceful business operations.”

They further stated, “There is no law that says we cannot discuss and move freely within the market with our foreign partners.

“Under the Constitution of Nigeria, we have the right to free movement and to discuss with our foreign business partners or invite them to the offices of our members to explore mutually beneficial business opportunities.”

The coalition warned that any further interference would be strongly resisted.

“We hereby warn that any further disruption of our activities will be massively resisted to protect our inalienable rights as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Contacted by PUNCH Metro on Monday, the Babaloja of Computer Village, Mr. Olasoji, denied the coalition’s claims, stating that the Thai delegates were not chased out but were only stopped because the market board was not informed of their visit.

He said, “It is not so. The group wants to run a parallel government. Usually, when investors visit the market, they meet with the market board led by the Iyaloja and me.

“But when people who are not in authority try to grab the government by all means, this is what we will never take.”

He said the coalition had earlier notified the board about bringing guests but failed to follow the agreed-upon protocols.

“They called and told us they wanted to bring in some visitors. We told them to bring them to us before going to the market, but they refused. They wanted to take them into the market through the back doors. We were just prevented from entering the market,” Olasoji said.

Also speaking on behalf of the market board and Iyaloja, the board’s treasurer, Murphy Akinsanya, claimed that Babaloja and Iyaloja remain the only recognised leaders of Computer Village as appointed by the Lagos State Government.

“It was the state government that appointed market administrators in the name of Babaloja and Iyaloja, as opposed to the former practice where associations governed the market,” he said.

“As of today, the Babaloja and Iyaloja remain the only recognised leaders of the market,” he added. (PUNCH)