Help us avert mayhem in Ogbaru Market, Ochiogu begs Soludo

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By Madu Obi

The President-General of Ogbaru Main Market in Anambra State, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct security agencies to arrest those allegedly plotting to foment trouble in the market so as to avert mayhem in the area.

In a letter addressed to the governor through his lawyer, Ochiogu urged the state government to disregard an earlier petition by some traders who claimed that there was turmoil in the market.

The letter was also copied to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, the Divisional Police Officer of Okpoko Police Station, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Markets and Trade, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, among others.

According to the market leader, the said petition was designed to inject fear in the market and across Anambra State.

He alleged that the petitioners had also threatened to mobilize street urchins to protest, destabilize, and loot the market, even though traders were largely satisfied with his leadership.

Ochiogu further warned those linking his name to illegal shop seizures and acts of intimidation to desist immediately or face legal consequences.

His letter read in part: “To set the records straight, in 2023, the petitioners, who are also plaintiffs in Suit No. AT/87/23, wrote to the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, alleging unlawful seizure of their shops by our client.

The police investigated and found the claims to be false. Despite this, they went ahead to institute a legal action, joining the state government in the process.

Our client has counter-sued the plaintiffs for defamation and for giving false information to the police. The case is still pending. On June 26, 2025, when the matter came up in court, one Hon. Christian Ezenwoke appeared and sought the court’s leave to intervene and settle the matter, which the court granted.”

He added that the second plaintiff in the case, Ifeanyi Eziaghala, had submitted further petitions to the Anambra State House of Assembly, even while the matter remains before the court.

“He petitioned Your Excellency while simultaneously bringing Hon. Ezenwoke to court to settle the matter. This duplicity shows clear intent to cause chaos in Ogbaru Main Market using street urchins to foment disorder,” he wrote.

“It amounts to self-betrayal for the same individuals to petition the governor—whom they’ve already taken to court—while also threatening mass protest, all under the guise of being law-abiding,” he said.

He warned that those concerned would be held responsible if any breach of peace occurs in Ogbaru Main Market.