Enugu State Government Dismisses Orba Market Leadership

The Enugu State Government has dismissed the elected leadership of the Orba Modern Market Trader Association, leading to palpable tension in the Udenu Local Government Area. This decision comes despite a high court order that restrained the government from taking such action, declaring it illegal and unconstitutional.

The modern market was built by a private company with a loan of N60 million, and the traders have fully repaid this loan. The court, presided over by Justice Comfort Chinyere Ani, ruled on May 13, 2025, that the state government lacked the authority to sack the elected leadership and awarded N1 million in damages against the government.

The court's judgment was confirmed by certified true copies obtained by Punch Online. Following the dismissal, the state Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Industry announced the suspension of the elected chairman, Brendan Ugwu, citing unruly behavior, and appointed Hon. Edward Emeka Ez as the new general manager to oversee the market's affairs.