A human rights activist, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, has vowed to take Governor Chukwuma Soludo to court over plans to demolish Afor Nnobi Market in Anambra State.
Okonkwo accused Governor Soludo of attempting to destroy the market to further his own interests.
“The Governor wants to shift commercial activities from Afor Nnobi to Ekwulobia Market in his hometown,” Okonkwo alleged in a statement issued on Thursday.
“This move is not in the public interest, but rather serves his parochial agenda.”
Okonkwo recalled his previous legal battle with the Anambra State government in 1996, which resulted in a court ruling that declared Afor Nnobi a traditional market.
Questioning the Governor’s approach, the activist who hails from Nnobi, maintained that, “before demolishing the market, you should send estate surveyors to assess its value, not just ask the affected people to find a new site.”
Okonkwo also expressed concerns about the economic impact of demolishing the market, which supports thousands of people.
He criticised Governor Soludo for disregarding the welfare of the masses, contrary to the Constitution’s provision that the security and welfare of the people should be the government’s primary purpose.
The activist demanded transparency in the project, seeking details on the consultants, design, engineers, and contractors involved. He also questioned the approval process, citing the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Okonkwo’s threat to sue Soludo comes after a meeting between Nnobi community stakeholders and state government representatives, where plans to relocate the market were announced.
The statement partly read: “I went to court to retrieve the market from the Anambra State Government in 1996 during the military administration of Colonel Mike Attah.
“The case number at the Federal High Court Enugu was FHC/AN/5/95. I sued, being the one issued the Power of Attorney by the Traditional Ruler, H.R.H. Igwe E. Ezeokoli II (now late), as the custodian of the market.
“We were initially granted an order of interim injunction, restraining three of the defendants-the Attorney-General, Anambra State, Commissioner of Police, Anambra State and Idemili Local Government Area-their agents, servants/workmen and/privies, from carrying out their intention to take over Afor Obi Market, including the realms of the deities ‘Idemili Ezenwanyi and Ichiabia’ as stated in the plaintiff’s palace, pending the determination of the motion on notice brought in respect of the said Traditional Afor Nnobi Market, Nnobi.
“Ruling In the substantive suit, the Judge made a finding that it has not been shown before the court that the said market is the property of the Nnobi Welfare Organization (NWO) to make the purported transfer to come under Section 679 of CAMA and Section 230 (1) (e) of the said Decree 107. The court agreed with us that Afor Nnobi is a traditional market.
“Nobody appealed the judgment. So, Igwe handed over the market to me and I gave it back to the community. Hence, Anambra State Government cannot come through the back door to relocate the market under the pretense of constructing a dual carriage way.
“If the market blocks a road, you first of all send estate surveyors to look at the value of market and not just asking the people affected to look for a new site for the market.
“Before talking about the demolition of Afor Nnobi, let Governor Soludo show us in the 2025 Anambra State Budget, where he made the provisions for both the construction of the dual carriage road and the compensation for those to be affected by the construction work, including the traders at Afor Nnobi Market.
“Who are the consultants for the road project? Where is the design of the road? Who are the engineers that designed the road?
“Where is the environmental impact assessment report? Who are the environmental consultants? Who is the contractor?”
“That road is a Trunk B Road. Where is the approval issued to the Anambra State Government by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) through the Federal Ministry of Works, Highway Department for the construction of the road?
“Did the award of the contract comply with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which says that you cannot award a contract without a matching fund for it? Soludo and the contractors are liable to damages because we are suing them for wasting our money.”
Besides, Okonkwo made it clear that under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), communities and States can no longer build markets.
He said the Fourth Schedule of the same Constitution explicitly lists the functions of the Local Government Council, including the establishment; maintenance and regulation of slaughter houses, slaughter slabs, markets, Motor Park and public conveniences.
“We have endured three and half years of his deceptive administration and we are going to flush him out of Government House,” he declared.