3-Man Committee Stalls Court Execution Order in Anambra Electronics Market

Titus Maduako Eleweke

It was a dramatic scene on Wednesday when Ifechi Anozie, armed with an execution order from Atani High Court in Anambra State, attempted to enforce a judgment against the three-man committee of the Electronics Dealers Association in Onitsha. This committee was accused of collecting non-government revenue.

The situation could have escalated into violence but was defused by the presence of police officers from Zone 13 and Okpoko police station.

Anozie had taken legal action against the three-man committee—comprised of Chief Donatus Obi, Mr. Benjamin Anyawu, Mr. Nnameka Nwama, and Mr. Izuchukwu Okoye—and the Registered Trustees of the Electronics Dealers Association Onitsha. He challenged their authority to collect administrative levies from electronic dealers, arguing that their mandate was limited to government revenue collection. On July 26, 2024, the court ruled in Anozie’s favor, prohibiting the committee from collecting anything beyond government-generated revenues like taxes and development levies.

According to the court’s judgment, the committee was appointed solely for collecting government revenue and was restricted from collecting administrative fees for services such as electricity, security, and sanitation.

After a failed attempt to execute the court order by taking possession of the administrative office, Anozie expressed frustration over the committee’s blatant disregard for the court's directive. He detailed how the committee members had obstructed the bailiffs and police from executing their duties, claiming they had obtained a stay of execution order, which the bailiffs disputed, stating they had not been served any such order.

Anozie reported that the committee members, along with their supporters, resisted the police and bailiffs and threatened violence. This resistance prevented the execution of the court order to avoid further disorder in the market. Anozie emphasized that the court action was meant to ensure peace and order in the market.

He further revealed that he had received threats to his life from the committee members and promised to report these threats to the police. Anozie indicated that he would consult his lawyer for further legal action, including potentially seeking the issuance of Form 48 and 49.

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