How Anambra commissioner is profiteering from caretaker committees

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Traders accuse Anambra commissioner of commercialising Caretaker Committee members
HE, Professor Charles Soludo of Anambra State

 

Maduako Igbokwe l Tuesday, September 27, 2022

 

ANAMBRA, Nigeria – Traders in Anambra State under the aegis of Anambra Elite Traders’ Forum has accused the Anambra State Commissioner for Commence and Industry, Dr. Obinna Ngonadi of commercializing  Caretaker Committee membership in the state.

In the petition to Governor Prof. Charles  Soludo, copied to some  politicians , religious leaders, human right community and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State chapter, the group    accused the  commissioner of  selling leadership position in different markets in the State to the highest bidder.

Those copied are  Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Uche Ekwunife, Senator  Stella Odua, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, Rt. Rev. O.C. Chiemeka, His Grace, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, Rt. Rev. Owen Nwokolo, Most Rev. Alex Ibezim, His Lordship, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Rt. Rev. Ndubuisi Obi, Venerable Joseph Nweke, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, Comrade Aloysius Attah, Comrade Vincent Ezekweme, Dr. Emeka Odogwu Emeka, Chief of staff, Anambra state, Government House and Commissioner for Home Affair and Anambra State Government House Awka.

The petition which was signed by the duo of Chikeluba Odiche and Micheal Nwangwu  alleged  that the commissioner  has been perpetrating  atrocities in  different markets in the  State.

According to him, the petition is for the governor to be aware of the danger of the  commissioner’s acts, as it portends to  his administration,  markets and the state in general.

They alleged:  ” the bazaar has passed through many markets which includes Bridge-Head Market, Nkpor Main Market, Electronics Market Ogbaru, Ose Okwuodu Market, Ogbaru Main Market, NASPA Nnewi Market and several other Markets. In each of these Markets, the Commissioner for Trade and Market auctioned the different executive offices and positions.  Wherein traders paid varying sum of money for these positions. Dr. Ngonadi  collected monies from these persons and sold off offices to these persons and subsequently drove out the lawful occupants of these offices”

They alleged that the Commissioner  has been in the habit  of disobeying court  orders especially that of the New Auto Spare Parts  by  approving  for the executive to go on with the construction of new shops on top of the existing ones owned by members of the association without their consent.

” There  is a  matter before the court of Appeal Awka with suit No. CA/AW/155/2022. Also, there is a pending motion for injunction and stay of execution at the Appeal Court too. But the Commissioner neglected all these facts and went ahead to tamper with the subject matter before the Court” the group said.

According to the group, the Commissioner has ignored various  court cases pending in respect of his unlawful removal of Market leaders.

” The action of this Commissioner has caused many traders in the market to institute different court cases in different law courts in the state. It might interest your Excellency to note that some of these cases involve not just the ministry and Dr. Ngonadi as parties, but also the Anambra state Government” they  said.

The traders alleged that at  present, there are over 40  Court cases pending in different courts  against the state Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Obinna Ngonadi and the Anambra state Government.

“It is noteworthy that these cases were provoked by the actions  of Dr. Ngonadi” the traders alleged. They   also said   that in some of these cases,  he has been served with Form 48 in respect of Dr. Ngonadi’s recklessness and disobedience to order of the courts.

They disclosed that committal proceedings would soon be commenced against him if he continues his  disregard for  the  order of the courts. They said  that  the action of the Commissioner is “utterly distasteful and paint the image of the state government in black”.

According to the group, the action of the Commissioner is projecting  the state government as lacking respect for    the judiciary. They however, appealed  to the  Governor to critically look into the matter and ensure that the Commissioner is called to order and be made to retrace his footsteps as there is  already  tension in different markets in different parts of the State.

The traders also said the atmosphere is already  charged, hence the Governor  needs to urgently intervene to avoid the situation being  escalated to uncontrollable level. When the Commissioner was contacted  he said that  he  cannot dignify them with a response.

According to him, there   are always petitions from people who were stopped from benefiting from illegalities in form of diversion of government revenues, extortions and other criminal activities in the market.

The commissioner said that , Anambra State markets are very peaceful now and all  the  allegations they levied against him    are in public domain  for  verification. “I cannot possibly dignify them with a response.  Have a good day and God bless” he said.

 

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