Tension In Enugu As State Govt Defy's Court Order, Sacks Orba Market Traders Association Leaders
There is tension in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, following the sacking of elected leadership of the Orba Modern Market Traders Association, in the area, by the state government, contrary to a subsisting High Court order which barred it from embarking on such illegal and unconstitutional action.
...Sets Up Care -taker Committee
There is tension in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, following the sacking of elected leadership of the Orba Modern Market Traders Association, in the area, by the state government, contrary to a subsisting High Court order which barred it from embarking on such illegal and unconstitutional action.
The state High Court had ruled against earlier attempts by the state government to dissolve the elected leaders of the market, describing action as not only arbitrary but illegal and unconstitutional.
The modern market was built by a private company, with a $60 million loan, about N84 billion, obtained from both the World Bank and the UNDP in 1996. The aim was to insulate the market from government's control in a bid to promote trade and self employment for traders in the market.
The loan which has now been fully repaid by the traders, was facilitated by the former Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT and native of the area, Prof Julius Onah, who was then, a consultant to the World Bank.
The Orba Community donated five hectares of fully developed land while the Enugu State Government provided N8 million as counterpart fund.
However, the Enugu High Court, sitting at Obollo Afor and presided over by Justice Comfort Chinyere Ani, PhD, had in a judgement delivered on May 13, last year, ruled that the state government lacked either the powers or authority to sack the elected leadership of the traders, or set up a care- taker committee to administer the market and awarded N1 million against the government as damages over its illegal and unconstitutional action.
According to the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the judgement, Ben Okolo represented the Enugu State Government in the suit while Obi K.Odo, represented the Orba Amalgamated Traders Association.
"It is declared that the defendant's," dissolution of the elected executive committee of OMMATA, "is unlawful, illegal, and unconstitutional and therefore, null and void.
"The Defendant, Enugu State Government, is hereby perpetually restrained by themselves, agents, privies or howsoever described, from interfering with or interjecting in the collection, management and control of OMMATA or howsoever, usurp the offices/ functions and rights of the plaintiffs, as the Executives of OMMATA on the guise of Care- taker Committee of the association."
However, in a statement dated June 25, 2026, by the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, the state government once again, suspended the leadership of OMMATA under the leadership of Brendan Ugwu, after accusing it of unruly behaviour.
However, in a statement dated June 25, 2026, by the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, the state government once again, suspended the leadership of OMMATA under the leadership of Brendan Ugwu, after accusing it of unruly behaviour.
Furthermore, the letter signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Ifeanyi Onah, on behalf of the Commissioner, Ogbu Nwobodo, also named Hon Edward Emeka Eze as the General Manager of OMMATA.
In a letter addressed to the OMMATA Chairman, Brendan Ugwu and dated July 1, 2026, by the General Manager, he was urged to cooperate fully with the care-taker - committee by handing over, all association's property, records and responsibilities to it.
The letter read, "I write with reference to the suspension of the Executive Committee of OMMATA, led by Brendan Ugwu, by the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, Enugu State, vide reference number ENS/MTIIAMDEP/ Vol.1.04.09 dated June 25, 2026, over allegations of unlawful activities in Orie Orba International Market.
"Consequent upon the suspension and Constitution of a care-taker committee, by the Ministry, you are hereby, directed to immediately hand over all OMMATA properties, records, documents, financial books and records; account details, official files, minutes, correspondences, seals, keys, assets and every other item belonging to the association to the constituted care- taker committee.
"The take-over shall be completed immediately upon receipt of this letter to ensure seamless transition and the continued orderly administration of the association. You are expected to cooperate fully with the care- taker committee throughout the handover process
"Kindly note that failure to comply with this directive shall be viewed as an act of insubordination to the lawful directive of the Ministry and may attract further administrative and legal action by the appropriate authorities. Your prompt compliance is expected."
This directive was copied to the Commissioner, Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry, Enugu State.
Meanwhile, thousands of traders in the market are said to warming up for a peaceful demonstration against the sacking of OMMATA leadership despite a perpetual order of the state High Court, restraining the government from carrying out such illegal and unconstitutional action.
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