Electronic Dealers in Onitsha Praise Court Ruling, Call for Takeover by Board of Trustees
By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
Electronic traders at the Electronics Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have commended the High Court of Atani for ruling in favor of Ifechi Anozie against Chief Donatus Obi, the Chairman of the three-man administration in the Market.
Anozie had taken Chief Donatus Obi to court through his legal counsel, Chief Ugo Ugwunnadi Esq, seeking an injunction to prevent them from collecting any levies other than government taxes and development fees from Market members.
On July 26, 2024, the court ruled in Anozie’s favor, barring Chief Donatus Obi from collecting any additional levies in the Market, except for government taxes and development fees.
The court also ordered Chief Donatus Obi to account for all revenue he had collected since assuming office in 2023 until the date of the judgment and hand it over to the registered trustees of the Market.
Hon. Sir Chuks Onyeizigbe, a stakeholder in the Market, expressed satisfaction with the court ruling and called for the Board of Trustees (BOT) to take control of the Market.
He urged the BOT to collaborate with the State Government, emphasizing the importance of transparency and the interest of the Market and the state government.
Mr. Nkem Okoli, the Chairman of the Freedom Line, also praised the judgment, predicting that it would bring peace and effective administration to the Market. He suggested that the BOT should manage the Market until new leadership is elected.
Ifechi Anozie, also known as IfeGod Electronics, expressed gratitude to the High Court of Atani for giving him a fair hearing and to the Electronic Market dealers for their support.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by Market members due to unelected leaders and called for compliance with the court ruling regarding tax and development levies.
He called on the Union trustees to oversee Market revenue and leadership until new leaders are elected.
