Traders operating at the D-line section of the Umuokpu Building Materials Market in Awka have taken legal action against the Anambra State government.
They’ve renamed the market the Uwakwe Ukaegbu International Building Materials Market. The traders are claiming N1.5 billion in damages due to the demolition of their shops, which they argue has deprived them of their livelihood.
The plaintiffs, represented by Anekwe Joseph, Emeka Madiebo, and Echezona Nwajiaku, along with over 100 affected traders, have filed a lawsuit against several defendants, including the Anambra State government, the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Awka South local government area, and the state Attorney General.
The claims made by the plaintiffs include:
They are the rightful owners of the D-line shops at the Umuokpu Building Materials Market, based on valid allocation papers issued to them.
The revocation of their shop allocations by the defendants is null and void.
They demand that the defendants either remove the structures erected in place of the demolished D-line shops or reinstate them in the newly erected buildings without extra cost.
The plaintiffs are seeking:
N1 billion in damages for the loss incurred during the illegal demolition of their shops and goods.
N5 million in damages for trespass.
The traders’ legal representative, Johnson Ogbuzor, expressed disappointment that the defendants had not filed their defense despite being served.
He emphasized that the demolition of the shops had severely impacted the traders’ livelihoods and was done without proper authority.
The leader of the affected traders, Mr. Joseph Anekwe, stated that they had been operating in the market since 1997.
They were shocked when, in July last year, they were informed that their shop allocations had been revoked and subsequently witnessed the demolition of their shops.
Although promised that they would regain their shops after reconstruction, they are still operating their businesses in the open, exposed to harsh weather conditions.
The case was brought before Justice Ike Ogu at High Court 1, Awka, with a state counsel, Mr. M.E. Nwangwu, present.
Nwangwu requested an adjournment to allow the defendants to respond. Justice Ike Ogu adjourned the case to June 18, 2024, for further hearing.
