Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Following Monday’s peaceful protest by Ogbete Traders in Enugu, capital of Enugu State that later turned violent, the Police Command in Enugu has arraigned four traders at the Enugu North Magistrate Court.
The traders were arraigned and remanded in prison custody for protesting against the sealing of their shops by Governor Peter Mbah for not coming to market on a Monday contrary to 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.
They were arraigned on three counts filed against them in the case between them and the Commissioner of Police.
It would be recalled that some security agents deployed to Ogbete Main Market allegedly killed three traders and injured several others when the traders took to the streets to protest against the sealing of their shops by the government for not opening for business on Monday July 24, 2023.
Ikengaonline recalled that the governor, through his officials went into the Ogbete Main Market and sealed shops whose owners did not show up on that day, accusing such business owners of supporting the “illegal sit-at-home”.
However, after killing and injuring three protesters, the police arrested four of the traders whose shops were sealed by the task force carrying out Governor Mbah’s directive.
They were subsequently charged with offences bordering on conspiracy, promoting local war, and carrying warlike against the Chairman of the Market Traders and the state government.
Details of the charges showed the three counts read 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 committed 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 offence 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.
