An Onitsha, Anambra state, High Court, Presided over by Hon. Justice B. A. Onyefulu, Thursday sacked the President-General of Onitsha
Bridge-Head Markets Association, Mr.Sunday Obinze.
The sacking of Obinze was in sequence of a suit filed by three sectional market unions in the market that included, Scientific Surgical Equipment and Allied Products Dealers Association, Wood Works
Traders Association and Chainsaw and Allied Products Dealers Association for allegedly sidelining the trio major unions and their non participation in the 2019 market election that produced Obinze.
Mr Obinze’s position was nullified on the basis of court contempt not to go ahead with the scheduled election that produced him as the market boss for a second term in office.
Mr.Obinze had allegedly violated a court order in lieu of the purported election after the court had cautioned against such an exercise when some parties in the suit, Chain Saw and Allied Products
Dealers Association and others led by Chief Peter Okala, a former market union leader in the market and others claimed before the court that the purported market election was not conducted in conformity with the market constitution.
The Presiding Judge , Hon. Justice Onyefulu who frowned at the flagrant abuse of court rulings and set aside the election which he noted was not in conformity with the Bridge-Head Market Constitution.
Counsel to the petitioner, Barr. Chukwuma Oguejiofor, who argued vigorously in favour of the nullification maintained that having disrespect and disregard for a court of competent jurisdiction, the
embattled market leader was a security threat to the society.
Reacting shortly after the court session, leader of the group (plaintiff) and former Chairman, Tools and Allied Products Dealers Association who represented his union in court, Peter Okala, described the court decision as “sound and comprehensive”.
He called on all major stakeholders to continue to work for peace and progress of the large market.
In a press briefing shortly after the judgment, Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman of the market, Chief Emeka Ilonze and the Secretary, Mr. Chukwudi Ekwueme said that following the judgment the BOT members were now protected by law to assume duties as new executives of the market to avoid leadership vacuum.
The new market leaders assured traders of a widely acceptable election as soon as the Anambra State Government is notified of the new development and promised to continue to work with the state Government in the area of revenue generation and accountability while in office.
Following the recent court order, the market Board of Trustees (BOT) is expected to take charge of the market affairs pending when an acceptable election will be conducted in the market.
Peter Okala, a former market leader and one of the petitioners said that the court victory had vindicated him and his colleagues that the election that produced the former Chairman was a kangaroo election which he noted did not enjoy the support of traders and major stakeholders in the market.
He noted that with the court victory it has shown that Anambra traders, especially those from the Bridge-Head section believe in the rule of law and the supremacy of the law .
Mr.Okala maintained that having been patient for years without resorting to violence, had shown that the traders of the market were law abiding and have faith in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
