Four traders were on Thursday remanded in prison after for participating in Monday’s violent protest at Ogbete market.
The traders were arraigned for protesting against the sealing of their shops by Governor Peter Mbah. The government had sealed their shops for not coming to market the previous week in defiance of the state government’s directive.
The names of the traders were given as Ezebinagu Kaste, 45; Eze Patrick, 53; Friday Ani, aka Ozuomen 47; and Ogbu Jude Nkem, 37.
Details of the three counts charges against the traders are as follows: “Count I: That you Ezebinagu Kasie ‘m’, Eze Patrick ‘m’, Friday Ani A.K.A “Ozuome” ‘m’, Ogbu Jude Nkem ‘m’ and others now at large on the 26th day of July 2023 at about 0900hrs at Ogbete Main Market, Enugu in the Enugu North Magisterial District did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit;
Promoting Local War and Riotous Assembly and thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 495(a) of Criminal Code, Cap. 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.
“Count II: That you Ezebinagu Kasie ‘m’, Eze Patrick ‘m’, Friday Ani A.K.A “Ozuome” ‘m’, Ogbu Jude Nkem ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time, place and aforementioned Magisterial District did riotously assembled yourselves and destroyed the building/office of the Ogbete Main Market Traders’ Association (OMMATA) and thereby committed an offense punishable Section 112 of Criminal Code, Cap. 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.
“Count III: That you Ezebinagu Kasie ‘m’, Eze Patrick “M”, Friday Ani A.K.A “Ozuome” ‘m’, Ogbu Jude Nkem ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, time, place and aforementioned Magisterial District did without lawful authority carries on war or warlike against the Chairman of the Ogbete Main Market Traders, Association and Enugu State Government and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 86 of Criminal Code, Cap. 30, Vol. II, Revised Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria, 2004.”
The trial magistrate ordered that the suspects should be remanded at Enugu Maximum Correctional Custodial Centre and adjourned the case till further notice, claiming the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the case.
Background
The Enugu state government had last week sealed two commercial banks and 107 shops for observing last Monday’s sit-at-home order in the state. Governor Mbah had earlier in June, banned the Monday sit-at-home in the state, and ordered all public servants and political office holders in the state to begin reporting to their place of work on Monday or face sanctions. He also threatened to shut down schools and markets that observe the civil action in the state.
The sit-at-home was declared by a faction of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Frustrated by the continued closure of their shops, the traders, on Wednesday, protested the government’s action, calling for the reversal of the decision.
The protest however turned bloody as the police reportedly shot several traders killing at least one. The police in a statement on Wednesday, said the protesters were initially peaceful, and that the protest was hijacked by hoodlums who made it violent.
