Lawyer Sues Anambra Government, Police Over Market Shutdown, Seeks N2 Billion Damages

Human rights lawyer Ikechukwu Obasi has filed a lawsuit against the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the state’s Attorney General, the Commissioner of Police, and the Inspector General of Police over the closure of the Onitsha Main Market.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenges the one-week shutdown of the market ordered by Governor Soludo on January 26. The closure was a punitive measure against traders for observing the Monday sit-at-home protest.

Obasi, representing the traders in a public interest case, argues that the government’s action violated multiple fundamental rights guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. These include rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, association, and economic development.

The litigation stems from a viral video in which Governor Soludo, during an unscheduled market visit, directed that all markets must operate from Monday to Saturday. He warned that traders unwilling to comply should “leave Anambra,” before ordering the market shut for the rest of the week.

In his affidavit, Obasi contends that the governor’s directive unlawfully forced the government’s will on the traders and that the subsequent police enforcement led to civil unrest, arrests, and economic hardship. He described the sit-at-home observance as a lawful form of protest protected under the constitution.

The lawyer is seeking several declarations from the court, including that the shutdown and the mandatory opening order violate the traders’ fundamental rights. He also requests an injunction to stop the enforcement of the closure.

Obasi is demanding N2 billion in damages from Governor Soludo and an additional N50 million from the police authorities for their roles in enforcing the “unlawful” act.

In his supporting written address, the lawyer cited legal precedents, emphasizing that damages can be awarded for violations of fundamental rights, especially when state actions cause economic and psychological harm.