Cattle Dealers Drag Abia Government to Court Over Plan to Demolish Homes Within Market Premises

12 individuals, including prominent figures like Sarkin Zango, Hussaini Muhammad, and Buba Kedemure, acting as representatives of Umuchieze Garki Cattle Market residents and dealers, have filed a lawsuit against the Abia State government. The suit, numbered HUM/9/2024, is set to be heard at the Abia State High Court in Isuochi on March 13, 2024.

The crux of the matter revolves around the government’s intention to revamp the Umuchieze Garki Cattle Market and terminate the practice of residents living within the market premises. The catalyst for the legal action was a warning notice from the Umunneochi Local Government’s Town Planning Authority, signaling its intent to commence demolitions within the market area.

The interim legal skirmish will involve an application for an interlocutory injunction, seeking to temporarily prevent the government from executing its plan to demolish residential structures within the market. This will remain in effect until the court concludes the hearing and reaches a final determination on the case.

Tensions between the cattle dealers and the Abia government have been escalating since October of the previous year when the government decided to remodel the market, specifically aiming to eliminate residential components due to security concerns. The defendants named in the lawsuit include the state Commissioner for Lands, Chaka Chukwumerije; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna; Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government, Ndubuisi Ike, and the state Commissioner of Police.