By Alphonsus Nweze
Mr. Sunday Obinze, who was removed as the elected President-General of Bridgehead Market Traders Association at the inception of Governor Soludo’s administration has dragged the Anambra State Government to Court.
In the originating suit which came up for hearing Thursday, May 2, 2024, Obinze popularly called Ogwuego asked the Court to order for the dissolution of Mr. Chinedu Ezekwike led Caretaker Committee who is the fifth defendant in the case.
Obinze also asked that he should be reinstated as the President -General of Bridgehead market Traders Association Onitsha to serve out his tenure.
He also requested the court to make an order restraining the defendants, their heirs, assigns, privies, agents, and, or any person acting or taking instructions from them to disturb, harass or interefere in his duties and functions as the elected President -General of the Market.
The originating summon filed by C.I. Okoye, of Iloegbune Okoye chambers also has the State Attorney General, Barr. Samuel Ikeh, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Chief Evarist Ubah, Special Adviser to the Governor on Market as the defendants.
In the suit with the number: 01/250/2023 Obinze’s lawyer wants the court to determine whether the 1st to 4th Defendants as non-members of Bridgehead market have the right to interfere in the internal affairs of the market among other questions they want the Court to resolve.
When the case came up yesterday before Justice T.U. Oguji of Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha High Court 11, it was adjourned till July 18, 2024. to allow the plaintiff counsel study the defendants’ replies which he received yesterday morning.
Justice Oguji also directed that Ezekwike, the Caretaker Committee Chairman be served with the summon.
The Governor through Ngonadi unilaterally dissolved the executives of 30 market which Bridgehead was not among. But the former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry later sacked that of Bridgehead headed by Chief Obinze.
Obinze in his claim said they followed all due processes in conducting the election including receiving approval for the election to be conducted by the market from the Ministry, the date of the election and recognition of the elected executive members of the market held on August 26, 2021 for a second tenure of four-year tenure by the State Government.
