A major legal battle is brewing in the New Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkpor, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Mike Emerah, has filed a lawsuit against the market’s caretaker committee and Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Emerah is seeking N500 million in damages for his alleged unlawful removal from the BoT.
The lawsuit, filed in the Federal High Court, Awka, names Chief Stephen Obiora Ofoleh, Chairman of the market caretaker committee, as the first defendant.
Nine other committee members, including the Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer, are also named as defendants.
Governor Soludo and his Special Adviser on Parks and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, are listed as respondents in the suit.
Emerah, represented by Chief Ikenna Egbuna (SAN), claims that his removal from the BoT was illegal and orchestrated by the caretaker committee in violation of the market’s constitution.
He alleges that the committee, appointed by Governor Soludo, manipulated CAC records to remove him and install themselves.
- The suit further argues that the caretaker committee is operating illegally, as their appointment contradicts the market’s constitution, which mandates elected leadership.
The plaintiff highlights the committee’s ongoing legal battle against the state government’s approval for constructing shops over existing ones in the market, claiming their actions have denied the government substantial revenue.
The lawsuit seeks several declarations from the court, including:
- The appointment of the caretaker committee by Governor Soludo is unlawful and against the market’s constitution.
- Emerah’s removal from the BoT records is unlawful and unconstitutional.
- An order directing the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to reverse its records and reinstate Emerah as a BoT member.
- Payment of N500 million as exemplary and aggravated damages from the caretaker committee members.
The lawsuit has sent shockwaves through the market, raising questions about the legitimacy of the current leadership and highlighting the complex power dynamics within the community.
The case is expected to be a major legal battle, with implications for both the market’s future and the relationship between the government and the business community.