Anambra market crisis: Judge threatens to jail IGP, CP, Permanent Secretary, others

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By Alphonsus Nweze, Onitsha

The Anambra State High Court sitting in Awka, the State capital has threatened to commit the Inspector-General of Police (IG), the State Commissioner of Police, the State Director of Department of State Security (DSS), the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Trade Anambra State, Mr. Samuel Chinedu Ike and others to prison if they disobey the order of the court.

Justice Ike Ogu, sitting as vacation Court Judge issued Form 48 order, which is notice of consequences of disobedience of order of Court to the respondents on September 20, 2023
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In suit No.O/MISC 272/ 2023 and motion NO. O/ 1340M/2023, the Court in the form 48 ordered the security operatives and representative of Anambra State Government who are among the respondents to stay all actions pending the determination of the substantive motion on notice.

“You will be guilty of contempt of Court and will be liable to be committed to prison” said the Court in the form 48.

Meanwhile, Ifechi Anozie, one of the stakeholders of Electronics Market Onitsha has alleged that inspite of the form 48 and injunction restraining the respondents, they went ahead to arrest him, took him to Okpoko Police Station, which arraigned him at Magistrate Court, Okpoko.

The Magistrate, said Anozie, declined his trial when he was told that the matter was pending at Awka High Court.

Anozie also alleged that Donatus Obi, the Chairman of three-man Committee has gone contrary to court order of the Court and went ahead to.collect money from traders.

He further alleged that Obi introduced new levy for vehicles in the Market which he called ASMATA levy ranging from N5,000 for small vehicles and N8, 000 for big vehicles.

He accused Obi of boasting that there is nothing like Court order, alleging that Government officials were behind Obi to defy the order of the Court.

When newsmen contacted Obi on his hands to defend the allegations, he said he would not talk on the matter on phone unless they come to see him in his office.