Intersociety hails Soludo’s intervention in Onitsha market, family land dispute

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has praised the Anambra State Government's intervention in a long-standing dispute over property ownership involving the Onitsha Ozomagana Building Materials Market Association and the Modebe Family. The human rights organization deemed the intervention timely for resolving the conflict, which resurfaced in November 2025.

In letters sent on Friday, July 24, 2026, Intersociety commended the government for stepping into the matter. The group's Chairman, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, called for a thorough investigation and swift conclusion of the intervention process initiated by the State Ministry of Commerce. Intersociety suggested the state government, through the Secretary to the Government's office and in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, consider forming a special panel of inquiry.

This panel would supplement the ministry's investigation and offer a comprehensive solution, aiming to restore normalcy and ensure a secure business environment at the market. Meanwhile, Intersociety has also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tunde Disu, to immediately cease what it described as the criminalization of this civil dispute by the IGP’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and other involved police formations.

The organization alleged that key traders from the market association have faced arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, and extortion since April 2026. Intersociety demanded that the case file be returned to the Anambra State Police Command and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). They also urged full enforcement of a July 7, 2026 directive from the state government to all parties involved. Umeagbalasi requested that any officers found to have acted improperly be investigated and sanctioned, and that those allegedly detained unlawfully be released.

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The IGP was also called upon to issue a directive returning or transferring the case file(s) to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police for onward transfer to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) for continuation or discontinuation of any investigation and total enforcement of the St