Get Guardian on GoogleThousands of shop owners and traders in Orba Modern Market in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, have accused the state government of unlawful expropriation of the market which they allegedly built through a loan of $86 million, about N115. 8 billion from the World Bank / UNDP.
They also, accused the government of deliberately disobeying a State High Court order which completely ousted the government and upheld their legal status,” as owners of the market, by declaring its unlawful expropriation of the market unlawful and void.
They said they secured the loan for the building of the market during the administration of Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo in the old Enugu State in 1992.
They added that following the loan, the state government contributed N8 million as it’s own counterpart fund.
The traders said they sourced the loan from both institutions through the former Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, late Prof Julius Onuorah Onah, who was the then consultant to the World Bank, adding that the market was registered as a limited liability company at the Corporate Affairs Commission, (CAC)with a general manager employed by the traders for easy administration.
According to documents cited by The Guardian, the traders had 40 percent shares in the company while the host Orba Community, the Udenu and Enugu State Government were allocated 20 percent shares respectively.
Meanwhile, the traders under the aeigis of Orba Modern Market Traders Association, (OMMATA), have petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, complaining about the unlawful activities of the government- appointed officials in the management of the market.
The petition signed on their behalf by their Counsel, Okey Ozumba, read in part, “Furthermore, the General Manager, unlawfully seized N70 million in revenue, belonging to OMMATA from the Wharf/ Food Bag Park; N39 million from the illicit sale of 13 shops at Obollo Park valued at N3 million each and N32 million from the illicit sale of 40 shop deckings at Obollo Park valued at N800,000 each.
“Additional misapplications include N8 million from Obollo Park Approval Fees across 40 allocations at N200,000 each; N6 million from two broken shops near the Steps Area valued at N3 million each; N1.8million exorted from traders under the false pretence of fixing broken steps among several others”
They added that the collective conduct of the individuals complained against has made the atmosphere within Orba Modern Market highly volatile.
Given the massive financial stakes involved, combined with the fact several of the individuals have documented histories of orchestrating market violence, our clients reasonably fear that without urgent police intervention, this situation will quickly dissolve into physical confrontations, destruction of property and an imminent breakdown of public order.
“We therefore, respectfully urge you to intervene immediately by directing a comprehensive, impartial investigation to trace the banking records/ receipts and shop allocation ledgers controlled by the General Manager, Mr Edward Emeka Eze, concerning the missing N824.1 million.
“We further request that you order the invitation, arrest and interrogation of individuals named above; these financial misapplications, conspiracy and incitement among other issues, while simultaneously, an adequate tactical police presence to safeguard the market premises, protect our clients’ lawful administration and prevent imminent violence.
“Our clients are fully prepared to cooperate with your team and will make available, all necessary materials within their possession, including certified true copies of the High Court judgement, financial ledgers, video evidence of illegal shop constructions and audit trails,” the petition added.
