In October 2019, the World Bank said Nigeria improved its ranking in its Ease of Doing Business 2020 Index, moving up 15 places to 131.
The index is a yearly ranking that assesses the business environment in 190 countries using various indicators including paying taxes, trading across borders, starting a business and protecting minority investors.
But one business owner did not feel the impact of this purported improvement.
An automobile engineer and owner of an auto workshop in Abuja, Joyce Dayser Adams, was at the receiving end of brutality from state actors on Thursday as her multimillion naira investment was destroyed within minutes.
A Twitter user, Demola Gbajabiamila, drew the nation’s attention to the alleged injustice perpetrated against the female mechanic in a thread on Saturday.
According to him, officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) aided by a crack team of police, DSS, NSCDC, VIO, and personnel of other security agencies swooped on the shop located in the Wuye area of the FCT and demolished it against court order.
He disclosed that after the illegal demolition exercise, during which they assaulted Adams and her workers, the team also made away with six cars that were being repaired at the shop.
The business owner, who had helped many other women to become auto mechanics like her, was left in tears after the crackdown.
He tweeted:
Not sure I've ever felt helpless like I did yesterday & I'll share the reason with you.
People need to understand the difference between the Nigerian government professing Ease of Doing Business on paper but doing the opposite in real life.
Let me show you in a short thread!
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
So, on Thursday evening, I got home from work to see missed calls on my phone.
I checked and it was my Automobile Engineer, Mrs Joyce Dayser Adams. So, I called back but her line was switched off.
I could not fathom why she had called but I sent her a text immediately.
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
I didn't get a reply. So, on my way to work yesterday, I decided to stop by at her garage.
And to my devastating surprise, this is what I met! pic.twitter.com/kauhIYWHqo
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
A crack team of Policemen, VIO, NSCDC and some other security agencies had mobilized and brought down her entire business a day before.
I met her in tears, swollen eyes and bruises.
I did not even know what questions to ask her!
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
This is what the garage looked like before demolition. You can see that it is a well-organized garage with not just modern but very expensive equipment. pic.twitter.com/fd937ICn4E
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
This is what is left of an automobile garage that is worth about a hundred million Naira.
It is situated in Wuye area of FCT-Abuja. If you know that area, you will know it is one of the developing areas in Abuja with a very high real estate value. pic.twitter.com/XxLOP4NaAc
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
No doubt, there has been an issue on the land usage in which the agency in charge of that aspect claimed that the land was not meant for commercial purposes but only residential.
However, the matter was taken to court and the court had granted them ownership of the land.
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
As a matter of fact, the court had restrained Abuja FCDA from harassing the occupants because their claim of reallocation is illegal.
Now, the FCDA has characteristically gone against a court order and they have rendered a thriving business useless.
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
This woman is one of the most selfless person I have ever met. Does not treat her clients like clients but like family and that is the reason she has been the only person I work with.
She is one of the best hands in the entirety of Abuja and she does not deserve this! pic.twitter.com/H8quE9zaZL
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
This woman had in recent years, deployed her resources to train other women in automobile engineering FREE OF CHARGE.
She has, so far, trained over 50 women who are now in various parts of Abuja, doing the same thing she has trained them for! pic.twitter.com/fNL7raddRA
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
She expends her money, her time, her expertise on other people. She probably does not owe our society but she took it upon herself to contribute her quota to society building by empowering other women.
She deserves encouragement and not this misfortune! pic.twitter.com/Po0QIPi76R
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
She has done so much for these women, much more than the Nigerian government will ever do.
And this is how she was paid back.
Can you see that the system is built to kill you? You don't see it yet? Wait! You'll see it! pic.twitter.com/u9tWe8ToRN
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
Now, let me assume for a minute that she is in the wrong (Which I am certain she is not), why do we find joy in destruction???
Why do we oppress each other? Why do we love to throw people in misfortune? Why do we destroy instead of build?
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
1. If truly there was a legal issue on the piece of land, why not seal up until issue is resolved?
2. Why should an agency of authority disobey court orders with so much impunity?
There are so many WHYS in this issue, that can frustrate any reasonable person!
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
As if the demolition was not enough, the police officers hit her with their guns.
I mean they literally assaulted her and some of her staff who protested against the 30-minutes notice before the demolition.
Yea, that actually happened!
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
This car-baking oven cost about 15 million Naira. When she bought it, she called me to come and see. I was really happy for her as the business was expanding.
When she had it installed, she asked me to come see again.
Now, it is gone. Just like that! pic.twitter.com/HDvT4HntVa
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
Let us set aside the infrastructural destruction.
She has about 30 people (with families) in her employ. From mechanics, to electricians, to bodywork engineers, accountants, HR manager, garage manager, security guards, painters, welders.
All rendered jobless in minutes!
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
They have not been able to work due to the destruction.
There is no excuse for this blatant disregard for the rule of law, human lives and properties as depicted by the FCDA.
None whatsoever!
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
Maybe I am naive but I believe that if the judgment of a court does not sit well with you, there's a provision in the constitution that empowers you to appeal it.
The FCDA shunned that process and went on a power rampage on Thursday.
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
The height of the illegality of that demolition exercise can be proven with the fact that THEY WENT AWAY WITH 6 CARS.
These are cars that were entrusted in her care by her clients.
Now, think about it and let that sink in!
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
What I just said in brevity is that you can give your car to an auto mechanic and because the government has an issue with the said mechanic, they can use your own car as collateral damage.
They went away with 6 cars… Yes, SIX!
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
So basically, the government that has failed in its responsibility to provide jobs still goes out to hunt those who have provided employment for themselves and others.
Think about the crisis the families of the staff will have to bear. Think about it!
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
You put down a multi-million Naira investment in one swoop.
You find it hard to create employment but you flex your muscles when it is time to create poverty.
You hunt businesses and you take them down. Yet, you claim Ease of Doing Business! 🤡🤡🤡
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
At about 3:15 pm on Thursday, Mrs Joyce Daser Adams was getting ready to leave for the Female Entrepreneurship and Employment Network International (FEENI) – an INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2020 EVENT but the Nigerian Government had other plans for her establishment.
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
One of the nicest women I have ever met. Always willing to help. Very professional and very empathetic.
Even if you cannot afford her services, she'll bend and twist and always make room for you. That is why she's loved by all.
Here she is on #IWD2020 pic.twitter.com/xuLMgesUE5
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
This is how I met her yesterday. Beaten, tired, frustrated, and demoralized.
All thanks to the Nigerian Government. pic.twitter.com/98zpdDaNtF
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
So, yea. She is going to seek justice and I'm confident that she'll get it. She will rise again but for now, she's back to ground zero!
However, this is an eye-opener to each and everyone of us.
What we have is a system that is out TO KILL US. so, WE NEED TO KILL IT FIRST!!!
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
It is Mrs Joyce Daser Adams today, can be you or even me tomorrow.
They thought all they demolished were just buildings. What they didn't realize is that they demolished lives too. They demolished patriotism. They demolished hope. They killed love.
It is well…
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
She just sent me this via WhatsApp, detailing how she was physically assaulted by one Officer Danladi Yusuf! @PoliceNG @PoliceNG_CRU pic.twitter.com/ti57gagPAW
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
She can be reached via @AdamsDaser, @AutoLadyGarage and @AutoLadyInspire
A big thank you to everyone that has reached out to offer help. This is much appreciated. We're on a journey to justice and restitution. Might be a long one but we'll give it our best!
— Demola (@OmoGbajaBiamila) March 14, 2020
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