My forceful removal as market chairman prompted me to sue Anambra Govt – APGA chieftain

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

Sacked President General, PG, Onitsha Bridgehead Market Traders Association, Mr. Sunday Obinze, disclosed he sued the Anambra state Government for removing him from office when his tenure has not elapsed.

Speaking when the matter came up for hearing in the originating summon, Obinze, who is called Ogwuego by his admirers, pleaded to the Court to order for the dissolution of Mr. Chinedu Ezekwike- led Caretaker Committee who is the fifth defendant in the suit.

Obinze also pleaded to the court that he should be reinstated as the President General of Bridgehead market Traders Association Onitsha to serve out his tenure.

He also prayed the court to make an order restraining the defendants, their heirs, assigns, privies, agents, and, or any person acting or taking instructions from them to disturb, harass or interfer in his duties and functions as the elected President -General of the Market.

The originating summon filed by C.I. Okoye, of Iloegbune Okoye chambers also has the State Attorney General, Barr. Samuel Ikeh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Chief Evarist Ubah, Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Market as the defendants.

In the suit number: 01/250/2023 Obinze’s lawyer prayed the court to determine whether the 1st to 4th defendants as non-members of Bridgehead market, have the right to interfere in the internal affairs of the market among other reliefs they prayed the Court to determine.

When the case came up before Justice T.U. Oguji of Anambra State High Court 2, sitting in Onitsha , it was adjourned till July 18, 2024. to allow the plaintiff counsel to study the defendants’ replies which he has received.

Justice Oguji also directed that Ezekwike, the Caretaker Committee Chairman be served with the summon.

Recall that the Governor, through Ngonadi, former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, unilaterally dissolved the executives of 30 markets which Bridgehead was not among. But the former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry later sacked that of Bridgehead, headed by Chief Obinze.

Obinze in his affidavit of claim stated that he followed all due processes in conducting the election including receiving approval for the election to be conducted by the market from the Ministry, the date of the election and recognition of the elected executive members of the market held on August 26, 2021 for a second tenure of four-year tenure by the State Government.