MICHAEL AKINOLA
The crisis rocking Ladipo/Osoro traders union at Ladipo Market in Lagos State took another dimension following the recent order by the Lagos State High Court stopping their Chairman, Ameachi Nneji, from conducting election in the market.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that while the order was in place, Police operatives from Zone 2 Command, Onikan, have arrested the electoral committee chairman,Mr Donatus Emeafor and Chigozie Uwakwe as Police begin manhunt for the Chairman, Ameachi Nneji, over alleged criminal conduct while the Board of Trustees chairman, Humphrey Obiwulu, has gone underground over their alleged involvement in the crisis that engulfed the market.
The Presiding Judge, Justice D.T. Olatokun, restrained the Chairman, Mr. Nneji and the vice chairman, Afam Oragwa and registered trustees of Lagos/Osoro traders union from conducting election pending the determination of the matter before the Court.
The suit is between the claimants: Monday Nkwor, Isiugo Chinazor Pascal, Charles Ogueli and Chigaeme Njoku versus Ameachi Nneji, Afam Oragwa and registered trustees Ladipo/Osoro traders union.
It stated:
“Upon this motion exparte dated 6th November, 2024, coming up today before Hon. Justice D.T. Olatokun (Mrs) sitting at the High Court No. 39 General Civil Division, Ikeja.
And Upon reading the 51 paragraph Affidavit deposed to by Monday Nkwor, Male, Nigerian Citizen, the 1st Claimant/Applicant in this suit, sworn to and filed”
The enrollment of order on the suit with number SUIT NO. ID/12145GCMW/2024″ “Motion exparte brought pursuant to orders 42 and 43 rules (1)&(2) of High Court of Lagos State civil procedure rules 2019, The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and under the inherent jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”
Upon this motion exparte dated 6th November,2024 coming up today before Hon. Justice D.T. Olatokun (Mrs) sitting at the High Court No. 39 General Civil Division, Ikeja.
And upon reading the 51 paragraph Affidavit deposed to by Monday Nkwor, Male, Nigerian Citizen, the 1st Claimant/Applicant in this suit, sworn to and filed on 6ht November 2024 at the High Court Registry, Ikeja.”
“An after hearing G. E. Igbokwe, Learned Counsel for the Applicants, who moved the application. It is hereby ordered as follows:
.1 An order of interim injunction is granted restraining the defendants/respondents from conducting union election of the 3rd Respondent scheduled for 28th November 2024 at No. 186 Ladipo Street and 46/47 Osoro Street, Ladipo International Market, Lagos.
2. This Order is for 7 (Seven) days and will lapse on 3rd December 2024.
3. The Claimants are to file and serve their originating Processes as well as the Motion on notice and the enrolled Order of this Court on the Defendants on or before 29th November 2024.”
Trouble started after the chairman, Ameachi Nneji, appointed the electoral committee led by their chairman, Afam Oragwa, with clear instruction to disqualify Monday Nkwor based on the unregistered constitution contrary to the constitution of the union at CAC.
The aggrieved parties filed the suit before the Court and an injunction was granted to halt the election while the union’s chairman is facing alleged criminal charges at Zone 2 Command, which has made him to go into hiding.