Senate Summons Ladipo Market Leaders Over Crises

Chairman Aguiyi ironsi traders, Cyril Onyemaechi

Chairman, Aguiyi ironsi traders, Cyril Onyemaechi

Cyriacus Izuekwe

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has summoned leaders of the Aguiyi Ironsi Traders Association at Ladipo Market to appear before it over the lingering crises that have been rocking the market over the years.

The leaders were asked to appear before the Senate Committee on Wednesday, 21 January in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.

The invitation followed a petition written by former president of the market, Chief Jonathan Okoli to the Senate President, David Mark, over alleged threat to his life and his supporters.

Okoli alleged that his supporters were chased out of the market by the current leadership of the market headed by Mr Cyril Onyemaechi and the developer, Paramo Ventures Limited.

Chairman, Aguiyi ironsi traders, Cyril Onyemaechi
Chairman, Aguiyi ironsi traders, Cyril Onyemaechi

The Senate also invited  Mushin LGA officials and other factional leaders in the market to come and explain their roles.

Among those summoned include the incumbent President and General Secretary of the market, Mr Onyemaechi and Anthony Nwanzelibe respectively, Okey Imo leader of Concerned Traders, Casmir Ulasi, Obi Umezinwa and others.

Okoli alleged that his opponents with the support of Mushin LGA invited policemen to attack and chase his supporters out of the market.

He said his supporters were also tortured by the police and were not allowed into the market for over year.

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Okoli alleged that since all his efforts to facilitate the return of the traders to the market proved abortive, he had to petition the Senate to seek  its intervention.

Onyemaechi, who confirmed the invitation, said since he was elected as the President last year, he had not chased any trader out of the market rather he had reconciled all the factional leaders.

He said he was surprised when the invitation came from the Senate summoning some of the traders to Abuja following Okoli’s allegations.

On the issue of presence of policemen in the market, Onyemaechi said before the new executive was elected, policemen were drafted to the market following the crises and it was on the request of the traders.

He said the traders were satisfied with the performance of the policemen because they have been civil.

He noted that the market had been in crises for over seven years until the Lagos State Government intervened and with the support of Mushin LGA a peaceful election was conducted that brought peace to the market.

“I am yet to hear or receive a report of any trader chased out of the market and indeed if such a thing happens, I will immediately stop it,” he said

The Mushin LGA officials also confirmed the invitation by the Senate.

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