A group of traders in Anambra State under the aegis of Anambra Elite Traders’ Forum has accused the Anambra State Commissioner for Commence and Industry, Dr. Obinna Ngonadi, of commercializing Caretaker Committee membership in the State.
In the petition to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, copied to prominent politicians, religious leaders, human right community in the State and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State chapter. The group said they want to intimate the Governor that the Commissioner is selling leadership offices in different markets in the State to the highest bidder.
The personalities copied in the petition include: Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Uche Ekwunife, Senator Stella Odua, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, Rt. Rev. O.C. Chiemeka, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo, Most Rev. Alex Ibezim, His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi, Venerable Joseph Nweke, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, Comrade Aloysius Attah, Comrade Vincent Ezekweme, Dr. Emeka Odogwu Emeka, Chief of Staff, Anambra State, Government House and Commissioner for Home Affair and Anambra State Government House, Awka.
The petition which was signed by the duo of Chikeluba Odiche and Micheal Nwangwu alleged that the Commissioner perpetrated atrocities in different markets in the State, saying that it is for the governor to be aware of the danger such atrocities portend to his administration, markets and the State in general.
They alleged: “the bazaar has passed through many markets which includes Bridge-Head Market, Nkpor Main Market, Electronics Market Ogbaru, Ose Okwuodu Market, Ogbaru Main Market, NASPA Nnewi Market and several other Markets. In each of these Markets, the Commissioner for Trade and Market auctioned the different executive offices and positions. Wherein traders paid varying sum of money for these positions. Dr. Ngonadi shamelessly collected these monies from these persons and sold off offices to these persons and subsequently drove out the lawful occupants of these offices.”
They alleged that the Commissioner has been in the habit of disobeying court orders especially that of the New Autor Spare Parts by approving for the executive to go on with the construction of new block of shops on the top of the existing structure owned by members of the association without their consent.
“It is a matter before the court of Appeal, Awka with suit No. CA/AW/155/2022. Also, there is a pending motion for injunction and stay of execution at the Appeal Court. But the Commissioner neglected all these facts and went ahead to tamper with the subject matter before the Court,” the group said.
They further alleged that Dr. Ngonadi “motivated and emboldened by the filthy lucre collected from these power seeking traders, proceeded to ignore in a brazen manner, different court cases pending in respect of his unlawful removal of market leaders.
“The action of this Commissioner has caused many traders in the market to institute different court cases in different law courts in the state. It might interest your Excellency to know that some of these cases involve not just the ministry and Dr. Ngonadi as parties, but also the Anambra State Government.”
The traders expressed that at present, there are over forty Court cases pending in different Courts against the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Obinna Ngonadi and the Anambra state Government.
“It is noteworthy that these cases were provoked by the actions and recklessness of Dr. Ngonadi,” the traders alleged.
They also said that in some of these cases the Governor has been served with Form 48 in respect of Dr. Ngonadi’s recklessness and disobedience to the order of the courts.
They added that committal proceedings would soon be commenced against him if he continues his disregard for the order of the courts.
The traders lament that the action of the Commissioner is “utterly distasteful and paint the image of the state government black.”
They stress that the state government is being projected by the Commissioner as one which has no respect for the judiciary .
They however, appealed to the Governor to critically look into the matter and ensure that the Commissioner is called to order and be made to retrace his footsteps as there is already tension in different markets in different parts of the State.
The traders also said the atmosphere is already charged, hence the Governor needs to urgently intervene to avoid the situation being escalated to uncontrollable level.
When the Commissioner was called to respond to the allegations, he failed to pick his calls.
He however directed that we should send our inquiries through text message, which has been done but till press there has been no response.
