Association Petitions IGP Over Threat To Life

A petition has been sent to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, by the Executive Members of Tools and Allied Dealers Association (TAPDA), Onitsha Bridge Head Market, over alleged growing tension in the market where an election was conducted three weeks ago.
TAPDA also alleged there were plots by agents of government to frame them up and get them arrested on trumped up charges.
But special Adviser on Markets and Parks, Sylva Nwobu-Alor, dismissed the allegation as coming from a camp, whose candidates lost in the election.
In the petition dated June 16, 2009, counsel to the traders, Nkem Olisa, alleged that the executive members had been having a running battle with Nwobu-Alor over the union’s election alleging that representatives of government had perfected plans to plant incriminating materials in the shops of his clients to get them out of the way and have way for illegalities and lawlessness in the market.
They accused President-General of the market, Mr Emeka Ilonze and his supporters, Emma Anagor and Sylvester Ahanonu, whom they referred to as agents of Nwobu-Alor of imposing their clique at the market against the wishes of the traders, alleging that they want to put the executive out of circulation to have easy access into the market.
According to the petition, “The executives are now afraid for their lives and liberties as Ilonze and his partners in crime are arranging a bogus petition to frame our clients and get them arrested on trumped up charges in order to pave way for them in the market,” and therefore urged the Inspector-General to order a prompt investigation in order to nip this plot in the bud.
“Our lives, properties and investments within and outside the market and by this petition we have brought to the notice of the Nigerian Police plans by the agents of government to frame us up.”
But Ilonze dismissed the allegations. According to him, “the group is speaking from demented mind having tried in vain to stay perpetually in office”. Their tenure in office expired by two years but they did not want to conduct election. And when they eventually agreed to conduct the election, they wanted to return to power or plant their own men.
“In case of one of them, he so arranged it that all those that will contest the chairmanship position will step down at the dying minute so that he will be the sole candidate. And don’t forget that he has spent uncountable number of years in office”.