Ahia Ofuu Market Traders Protest Against LGA Chairman’s Levy
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State – March 26, 2025
A large contingent of traders from the Ahia Ofuu market took to the streets yesterday, March 25th, 2025, to voice their vehement opposition to a controversial levy imposed by the Chairman of Ezza North Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Moses Ogodoali Nomeh. The traders, primarily women, marched to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, carrying placards bearing inscriptions that highlighted their grievances.
The core of their protest centered around a demand by Hon. Nomeh for each trader to pay ₦350,000 before they could be allocated shops they had personally constructed with the support of the market chairman, Mr. Ikechukwu Nwankwo (Ikemba). The women revealed that they had financed the construction of these shops at a cost of ₦150,000 per shop, many of them taking out loans to do so.
Mrs. Elechi, a spokesperson for the market women, stated that the renovation of the women’s wing of the Ahia Ofuu Market was their own initiative, and all expenditures were approved by their leadership, not by Mr Ikechukwu Nwankwo (market chairman). They also expressed deep concern over what they described as “continuous police invitations” of Hon. Nwankwo, the traditional ruler of Okposi Umuoghara Autonomous Community, and other community stakeholders, which they believe are orchestrated by Hon. Nomeh to intimidate and exploit them.
The traders appealed to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly and Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to intervene and urge Hon. Nomeh to allow peace to prevail in the market. The traditional ruler and other stakeholders recounted multiple attempts to engage Hon. Nomeh in dialogue, all of which were allegedly rebuffed. They further alleged that when they went to the Achiagu police station to secure bail for Hon. Nwankwo, Hon. Nomeh ordered their own arrest, and they were compelled to provide statements before being released. They also stated that fresh police invitations had been issued to the traditional ruler and other community members, allegedly at Hon. Nomeh’s behest.
The traditional ruler emphasized the state government’s reputation for promoting peace and urged the House of Assembly to address the plight of the market women and call Hon. Nomeh to order. He reiterated the market’s readiness for a peaceful resolution.
Hon. Chief Onu Ukpai, Chairman of the House Committee on Market Development, and the Clark of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly received the protesters on behalf of the Speaker. They assured the women that the House would investigate the matter and work towards a peaceful resolution.
The market women expressed their confidence in the state government and thanked the House of Assembly for their reception. They pleaded for a swift and fair response to their grievances in the interest of peace and equity in the Ahia Ofuu market.
