The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been urged to take decisive steps to resolve the lingering property dispute involving the Ozomagana Building Materials Market Association in Onitsha and the Modebe family, amid concerns that the disagreement could escalate into violence if not comprehensively addressed.
The appeal comes as calls intensify for the state government to consolidate its ongoing intervention in the dispute by ensuring a transparent resolution process capable of restoring peace and protecting businesses.
The governor is urged to take decisive actions to prevent further tension in one of Onitsha’s major commercial hubs.
The call was made by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), which also demanded an immediate end to what it described as the criminalisation of the civil dispute by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU).
The group accused some police officers of carrying out arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention and intimidation of traders involved in the dispute.
In a statement issued on Monday, Intersociety by Emeka Umeagbalasi, board Chairman, the Intersociety said it had written separate letters dated July 24, 2026, to the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mrs. Amaka Nnaka; the state’s Attorney General, Tobechukwu Nweke (SAN); and the Commissioner for Commerce, Nonso Ebonwu, commending the state government’s intervention in the dispute.
According to the human rights organisation, a copy of the letter was also forwarded to Governor Soludo, urging him to ensure that the intervention leads to a comprehensive and lasting resolution of the conflict, which has lingered since November 2025.
Intersociety said the state government should consider establishing a special panel of inquiry to complement the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Ministry of Commerce, adding that such a panel would help ensure an impartial examination of the issues and facilitate the restoration of normal business activities in the market.
“The expected findings of the Ministry of Commerce can serve as a working document for the panel in achieving a comprehensive and unbiased resolution of the dispute,” the group said.
The organisation also urged the Inspector-General of Police, Tunde Disu, to immediately direct officers attached to the Force Headquarters’ Special Investigation Unit and Legal Department to withdraw from the matter, insisting that it is essentially a civil property dispute that should not be subjected to criminal investigation.
According to Intersociety, the police intervention has resulted in repeated harassment, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention and alleged extortion of traders associated with the market since April 2026.
The group alleged that several market leaders, including former Chairman of the Ozomagana Building Materials Market Association, Obiora Okoro, as well as former Assistant Secretary, Ikechukwu Aneke, and former Treasurer, Chigozie Ejiofor, had been arrested on multiple occasions, with the latest arrest reportedly taking place on July 11, 2026.
It further called on the Inspector-General of Police to order the unconditional release of anyone still being detained in connection with the dispute, discontinue further arrests, and transfer the case file to the Anambra State Police Command for appropriate handling in line with the state government’s directive issued on July 7, 2026.
Intersociety maintained that officers allegedly involved in the arrests should be investigated and sanctioned if found to have acted outside the law.
The group said its intervention was prompted by a July 7, 2026 directive issued by the Anambra State Commissioner for Commerce, Nonso Ebonwu, ordering an immediate suspension of all demolition, structural alterations and construction activities at the Ozomagana Building Materials Market pending the conclusion of an official government investigation.
According to the commissioner, the Ministry of Commerce had received a petition from aggrieved traders alleging unlawful demolition of existing shops without notice, destruction of goods and property, commencement of new construction projects without due process, fraudulent conversion of public market structures into private buildings, and harassment of traders through private security personnel.
The ministry said the allegations required urgent regulatory scrutiny and directed all parties to halt ongoing works in the interest of justice, public order and economic stability within the commercial city of Onitsha.
Available records cited by Intersociety indicate that the dispute centres on a 50-year lease agreement allegedly executed on December 9, 2023, between Modebe Enterprises Limited and the Ozomagana Building Materials Market Association.
Under the agreement, the association reportedly leased 10 buildings located along Modebe Avenue for a period spanning January 2024 to December 2073, with provisions allowing the reconstruction of the existing structures and the addition of new shops while preserving the ownership rights of the Modebe Family over the original 50 lock-up stores.
However, Intersociety said disagreements over the interpretation and implementation of the lease agreement eventually led to denials and counter-denials between the parties, culminating in the current dispute.
The organisation warned that unless all parties strictly comply with the state government’s directive and pursue lawful avenues for resolving the disagreement, the conflict could deteriorate further and threaten lives, property and commercial activities in the area.
It therefore urged the Anambra State Government to sustain its intervention, ensure the speedy conclusion of its investigation and implement measures capable of delivering a lasting solution acceptable to all parties. 
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