By Ikenna Orioha

A Federal High Court sitting in Owerri last Thursday adjourned the case between a human rights advocate, Barr. Ephraim Okafor, and the Imo State Government over the alleged unlawful closure of six major markets within the capital city during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit. The case was adjourned to April 29, 2026, for proper adoption of processes.

The markets were reportedly shut during the President’s visit, during which projects executed by the APC administration were commissioned.

The court adjourned the matter following procedural irregularities. The state government’s solicitor, SAN Alozie, filed a counter-affidavit challenging the suit, while the State Attorney-General also filed a separate counter-affidavit representing all respondents. The court held that the irregularity must be corrected and directed that proper representation for the state and all respondents be clarified.

Speaking to journalists after the court session, the plaintiff, Barr. Ephraim Okafor, said the alleged illegal closure of the six major markets in Owerri including Relief Market, Egbeada Market, among others adversely affected him and residents of the state, as they were unable to access the markets for business and other services.

He maintained that the action infringed on his fundamental rights and those of the people, and urged the court to award monetary compensation of over ₦500 million, as well as sanction the state actors involved to serve as a deterrent against future occurrences.

“We are at the Federal High Court, Owerri, today to hear the suit challenging the closure of six major markets by the state government through the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment on September 25, 2025, during the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the commissioning of projects,” he said.

“The closure of the markets was unlawful, uncalled for, and a violation of the fundamental human rights of citizens.

“No public notice or court order was issued to inform the people of the closure. This was purely an act of negligence, and it must stop in the interest of the people and the state.

“We were ready to adopt our processes, but the court adjourned the matter to April 29, 2026, due to the filing of separate counter-affidavits by SAN Alozie and the State Attorney-General. The court directed that all irregularities be corrected,” Okafor added.

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