Traders at the Onitsha Beer Dealers Market, popularly known as Nwugo Beer Market, have staged a peaceful protest over alleged harassment, intimidation and extortion, calling on Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to intervene in the dispute.
The traders alleged that a man identified as Ifeanyi Franklin Okeke, accompanied by armed security personnel, recently entered the market and claimed ownership of the property, while allegedly introducing new levies for traders.
They appealed to the state government to investigate the matter and take steps to protect their businesses and investments.
Speaking during the protest, one of the traders’ representatives, Chief Augustus Nnabuife, said the land on which the market was established was acquired from the Anambra State Government in 1988.
According to him, the traders obtained receipts and Certificates of Occupancy before developing the market, which became operational in 1998 following its commissioning by the then Military Administrator of Anambra State, Wing Commander Emmanuel Uwakwe Ukaegbu.
Nnabuife further claimed that the Onitsha South Local Government Area subsequently issued allocation papers to traders in the market, while the occupants continued to pay government-approved taxes and levies.
He alleged that in August 2026, Okeke, accompanied by his lawyer, entered the market and informed traders that he had acquired the property from the government.
Nnabuife said the development was followed by the introduction of a daily levy of N1,000 per shop and a change in the name of the market to Ihioma Beer Market.
He also alleged that traders were subsequently asked to pay N20,000 monthly as a security levy, instead of the N1,200 they had previously been paying.
According to him, armed personnel were later stationed at the market after the gates were allegedly locked, heightening tension among the traders.
Two traders, Nze Donatus Njesi and Mrs Cordelia Edimobi, said they had previously protested at the Anambra State Government House in Awka and submitted petitions to the state government over the matter.
They appealed to Governor Soludo to intervene and ensure that the dispute was properly investigated.
Meanwhile, two other traders, Iwuchukwu Oguguo and Ibe Mmaduabuchi, alleged that they were arrested after honouring an invitation from the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka.
They claimed that they spent seven weeks in custody before being granted bail, adding that the matter is currently before the court.
The traders urged the state government to examine the ownership documents and circumstances surrounding the alleged change in ownership of the market.
Efforts to obtain the response of Ifeanyi Franklin Okeke to the allegations were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
