Traders stall court execution order in Onitsha

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

Melodrama in Anambra, as supposedly chairman of Onitsha International Electronics market, Ifechi Anozie, going by an Atani high court order, and armed with the execution order from the said court, attempted to enforce the judgment against the three-man committee of the market but was resisted.

The committee, allegedly accused of collecting non-government revenue, prompted the court order and execution for Anozie to take over as chairman of the market but the situation escalated into violence but was defused by the presence of police officers from Zone 13 and Okpoko police station.

Anozie had taken legal action against the three-man committee that comprised of Donatus Obi, Mr. Benjamin Anyawu, Mr. Nnameka Nwama, and Mr. Izuchukwu Okoye, and the Registered Trustees of the market.

He challenged their authority to collect administrative levies from electronic dealers, arguing that their mandate was limited to government revenue collection. On July 26, 2024, the court ruled in Anozie’s favor, prohibiting the committee from collecting anything beyond government-generated revenues like taxes and development levies.

According to the court’s judgment, the committee was appointed solely for collecting government revenue and was restricted from collecting administrative fees for services such as electricity, security, and sanitation.

After a failed attempt to execute the court order by taking possession of the administrative office, Anozie expressed frustration over the committee’s blatant disregard for the court’s directive. He detailed how the committee members had obstructed the bailiffs and police from executing their duties, claiming they had obtained a stay of execution order, which the bailiffs disputed, stating they had not been served any such order.

Anozie reported that the committee members, along with their supporters, resisted the police and bailiffs and threatened violence. This resistance prevented the execution of the court order to avoid further disorder in the market. Anozie emphasized that the court action was meant to ensure peace and order in the market.

He further revealed that he had received threats to his life from the committee members and promised to report these threats to the police vowing to consult his lawyer for further legal action, including potentially seeking the issuance of Form 48 and 49.