Key Takeaways
- The Anambra State Government has been commended by Intersociety for its timely intervention in a long-standing property dispute at the Onitsha Ozomagana Building Materials Market.
- Intersociety is urging the state government to establish a special panel of inquiry to ensure a comprehensive and impartial resolution to the conflict.
- The human rights organization has accused the Inspector-General of Police's Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and other police formations of criminalizing a purely civil dispute.
- Allegations include arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, and extortion of leading traders since April 2026.
- Intersociety demands the immediate withdrawal of federal police units, the return of the case file to the Anambra State SCID, and the sanctioning of any officers found to have acted improperly.
Abakaliki, Nigeria – The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has publicly applauded the Anambra State Government for its decisive intervention in the protracted property ownership dispute plaguing the Onitsha Ozomagana Building Materials Market. This commendation comes as the human rights organization simultaneously raises serious concerns about alleged police misconduct in the handling of the civil matter, calling for immediate reforms and accountability.
The contentious dispute, which involves the Onitsha Ozomagana Building Materials Market Association and the Modebe Family, resurfaced with renewed intensity in November 2025. Intersociety emphasized the critical need for a comprehensive and impartial resolution to prevent further escalation and ensure stability within the vital commercial hub.
Government Intervention Hailed as Timely and Crucial
In letters dispatched on Friday, July 24, 2026, to key state officials including the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mrs. Amaka Nnaka; the Attorney General, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN; and the Commissioner for Commerce, Mr. Nomso Ebonwu, Intersociety expressed profound appreciation for the government's proactive engagement. A copy of the letter addressed to the Secretary to the State Government was also personally delivered to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, Chairman of Intersociety, highlighted the importance of the state's involvement. He urged the government, particularly through the office of the Secretary to the Government and in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, to consider establishing a special panel of inquiry. Such a panel, he argued, would complement the ongoing investigation by the Ministry of Commerce and facilitate a more thorough and lasting solution to the complex property dispute. This strategic move, Intersociety believes, is essential for restoring normalcy and fostering a secure and conducive business environment within the bustling market.
Allegations of Police Misconduct and Demands for Accountability
While commending the state government, Intersociety simultaneously directed a separate, strongly worded letter to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Tunde Disu. In this communication, the organization called for an immediate cessation of what it described as the "criminalization of the civil dispute" by the IGP’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and other police formations involved in the matter.
The human rights group alleged that since April 2026, several leading traders within the market association have been subjected to arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, and alleged extortion. Intersociety vehemently demanded that the case file be promptly returned to the Anambra State Police Command and subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). Furthermore, the organization urged the full enforcement of the Anambra State Government’s directive issued on July 7, 2026, to all parties involved in the dispute.
Mr. Umeagbalasi specifically called upon the IGP to instruct officers and personnel from the SIU, Legal Department, and any other units involved to immediately withdraw from the case. He stressed that further arrests and detentions over what is fundamentally a civil property dispute must cease. Intersociety also insisted that any officer found to have acted improperly or engaged in misconduct should be thoroughly investigated and appropriately sanctioned, while those allegedly detained unlawfully must be released without delay.
The call for the case file's transfer to the Anambra State SCID is crucial for ensuring that any ongoing investigation aligns with the state government's efforts towards a peaceful resolution and adheres strictly to the rule of law.
Why This Matters
This situation underscores the critical need for clear distinctions between civil disputes and criminal matters, particularly when law enforcement is involved. The resolution of this property dispute is vital not only for the affected parties but also for maintaining peace, stability, and investor confidence in Anambra State's commercial sector, ensuring that justice is served impartially and efficiently.