Four traders from Ogbo Ogwu Bridge Head Market in Onitsha, Anambra State, have taken legal action against the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the NAFDAC Zonal Director for the South-East, Dr. Martins Iluyomade, and the Anambra State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over alleged unlawful interference in their fundamental human rights.
The traders, Peter Okala, Alhaji Yunusa Tanko, Prof. Samuel Anidike, and C.C. Emereonwu, all members of the United Nigeria Group, filed the suit (No. PHC/AWK/CS/40/2025) at the Federal High Court, Awka, through their counsel, Chibuike Nwabueze (Esq).
They are seeking a court order to restrain the defendants and their agents from breaking into their shops without a valid court order and search warrant. They also requested an order of perpetual injunction to prevent further confiscation of their goods and have demanded N50 million in exemplary damages and another N50 million in general damages.
The traders claim that the market’s abrupt closure by NAFDAC, allegedly without prior notice, has led to losses exceeding N200 million, leaving them struggling to survive. They further allege that N500 billion worth of goods were seized during the operation, which was carried out with the backing of heavily armed security personnel.
Before filing the lawsuit, the traders held a press conference condemning the market’s closure, describing it as barbaric and a violation of their rights.
