Why Ikpeazu directed APGA’s eviction from secretariat

Following the directive of Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Chris Ezem, on September 27, 2022, ordered the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Platinum Mortgage Bank Ltd, Dr. Emmanuel Mbaka, not to allow the use of the Trademore Event Centre, formerly known as Ogumabiri Market, Umuahia, as a secretariat of any political party.

Mbaka is the Chairman of Trademore International Holdings Nigeria Limited (Trademore), who is the owner and Manager of the events centre, which Gregory Iyke Ibe Foundation and Prof. Gregory Ibe rented in July 2022.

Lawyer for Trademore, Mr. Nwoke Kalu, said that following receipt of the SSG letter by Mbaka, it was “investigated and discovered, with dismay, that truly the said rented Left Wing of the centre was converted to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) state Secretariat without authorisation from his client contrary to provisions of clauses 4 and 8 of the Tenancy Agreement.”

The lawyer told journalists, yesterday, at the events centre that Trademore consequently “gave Ibe notice to vacate the centre or revert to the original use upon which he was granted the tenancy, indicating that upon failure to comply, “we shall have no other option than to take legal steps to recover the property.”

The Trademore lawyer disclosed that in reaction to the notice, Gregory Iyke Foundation and Ibe, as joint applicants, took Trademore to the state High Court at Umunneochi, urging it to restrain their eviction by Trademore or its agents.

They also sought the court’s order to permit and/or allow the second applicant, Ibe, to use the said Left Wing of the centre as party secretariat and grant any other order/s as the court considers in the circumstances, pending the institution and hearing of the substantive suit.

The applicants motion, HUM/99M/2022, dated October 25, 2022, was filed by V.C Edeja, on behalf of OTA & OTA Associates on or about July 1, 2022.
Noting the pendency of the matter before the court, the lawyer said that Trademore International Holding Limited, being a law-abiding corporate citizen, would await, obey and comply with the final verdict of the court when delivered.