Tension has risen in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State following the decision of the state government to suspend the elected leadership of the Orba Modern Market Traders Association (OMMATA), despite a subsisting High Court judgment restraining such action.
The market leadership, led by Brendan Ugwu, was reportedly suspended by the Enugu State Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry over allegations of “unruly behaviour,” with a caretaker committee subsequently appointed to oversee the affairs of the association.
The development has sparked concern among traders, who fear that the move could escalate tensions within the market community.
The Orba Modern Market was developed through a $60 million loan facility from the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1996, with the project originally designed to operate independently of direct government control to promote trade and self-employment.
Prior to the latest development, an Enugu State High Court sitting in Obollo Afor, presided over by Justice Comfort Chinyere Ani, had ruled on May 13, 2025, that the state government lacked the authority to dissolve or interfere with the elected leadership of the traders’ association.
The court also restrained the government from setting up a caretaker committee and awarded damages against the state government, affirming that the elected executive led by Ugwu remained valid until the expiration of its tenure.
Despite the judgment, the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry issued a suspension letter dated June 25, 2026, announcing the removal of the executive committee and the appointment of Hon. Edward Emeka Eze as General Manager of OMMATA.
A follow-up directive reportedly ordered the suspended leadership to hand over all association assets, financial records, and administrative documents to the newly constituted caretaker structure.
The situation has generated apprehension among traders, with concerns that the dispute between the government and the association could lead to a breakdown of law and order if not urgently addressed.
As of the time of filing this report, the Enugu State Government has not issued a further public response regarding the court judgment and the recent administrative actions.
