Market closure: Lawyer sues Soludo, seeks N2bn damages for traders

A human rights lawyer, Ikechukwu Obasi, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, the state Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police, and the Inspector-General of Police over the closure of markets in Onitsha and other parts of the state.

The suit challenges the decision to shut markets following traders’ continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home. Obasi argues that the action violates the traders’ fundamental rights under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Filed under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, the case lists alleged violations including personal liberty, freedom of movement, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, human dignity, freedom from forced labour, privacy, economic development, and freedom of expression.

Obasi said he became aware of the issue after watching a viral video in which the governor directed that markets across Anambra must open from Monday to Saturday, warning that traders who refused to comply should leave the state.

According to the lawyer, from January 27, 2026, police operatives, acting on the state government’s directive, enforced the shutdown of markets. He alleged that the enforcement led to unrest, arrests, the use of teargas, and economic losses for traders.

In an affidavit supporting the suit, Obasi described the enforcement as unlawful and a breach of traders’ rights. He maintained that the sit-at-home was a voluntary and lawful form of protest protected under Section 39 of the Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter.

The suit asks the court to declare that the governor’s directive compelling markets to open throughout the week, or for traders to leave the state, amounts to forced labour and a violation of fundamental rights.

Obasi is also seeking declarations that:

* The threat to shut markets as punishment for observing the January 26, 2026 sit-at-home violates traders’ rights to liberty, movement, and association.

* The actual shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market and other markets from January 27 breaches the same rights.

* Police enforcement of the shutdown infringes on traders’ rights to movement, association, and economic activity.

* Any continued closure of markets as a sanction for observing the sit-at-home is unlawful.

* Participation in a voluntary sit-at-home constitutes a lawful expression and peaceful protest protected by law.

The lawyer is seeking N2 billion in damages on behalf of affected traders.