BY TIMOTHY AGBOR
The Enugu State Police Command has docked four Ogbete Main Market traders for protesting against the sealing of their shops by the state governor, Peter Mbah.
Mbah had ordered sealing of shops, banks and business premises for not coming to market on a Monday.
On July 27, 2023, security agents deployed to Ogbete Main Market had allegedly killed three traders and injured several others when traders took to the streets to protest against the sealing of their shops by the government.
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.
The traders, Ezebinagu Kaste, aged 45; Ez Patrick, 53; Friday Ani, a.k.a. Ozuomen, 47 and Ogbu Jude Nkem, 37, were arraigned on three counts filed against them in the case between them and the Commissioner of Police.
They were secretly arraigned before an Enugu North Magisterial District Court on Wednesday evening.
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.
The charge read, “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.
“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.
“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 reportedly ordered that the suspects should be remanded at Enugu Maximum Correctional Custodial Centre and adjourned the case till further notice.
