Anambra: Hoodlums Invade Market, Chase Away Traders With Guns

Hoodlums last Thursday, October 20, 2022, invaded the Osondu Agwuike Plaza located inside old spare parts market, Mgbuka, Obosi, Anambra state and chased away the traders after shooting sporadically into the air.

The Plaza believed to be owned by the late Mr. Osondu Nweze, a native of Obosi in Anambra state, has been a subject of litigation as the deceased had sued Obosi a Microfinace bank to court over a loan of N6million that went awry before he died for which the matter is still pending in court.

The plaza said to be worth about N600milliin was allegedly sold to a businessman, Mr. Alex Akuka alias Opuga at a give away price of N12million by the bank.

Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the Board of Trustee, Old Spare Parts market, Mr Emmanuel said those who came to chase out the traders claimed to have come with documents from the court, adding that the plaza was sold to the businessman by a bank and it resulted to litigation.

He said; “My brother, our hands are tied and there is nothing we can do about the situation. We are Igbos and believe in business. They came with documents and took over the place.

“We have told the Osundu family to get a counter document to be able to take possession and continue to collect rent form the traders pending the determination of the case”.

He implored the Osondu family to come for a meeting on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, regarding the issue.

However, while chatting with newsmen, a human rights activists, Mr Johanes Franklin of Crema Initiative and Advocates, urged all the parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the case by the appeal court.

Franklin said that the case has been in court for over 10 years adding that all the previous chairmen of the market never allowed invasion of the market from any of the parties but rather insisted on the order or judgement from court’.

He therefore wondered how the chairman of a caretaker that just assumed the position temporarily pending the appointment of a chairman would allow the invasion of the market while the case is awaiting determination at the Court of Appeal.

Franklin particularly called on Governor Charles Soludo, the Commissioner of police in Anambra State and the Inspector General of Police to intervene in the matter and prevent bloodshed in the market.

He also advised the chairman of the caretaker Committee of the market not to allow himself to be used by either party by assuming the position of a judge in a matter that is pending at the Court of Appeal.