Lawyer Sues Soludo, Police Over Onitsha Market Closure, Demands ₦2bn Damage

Lawyer Drags Soludo, Police to Court Over Onitsha Market Closure, Demands ₦2bn Damages


A human rights lawyer, Barrister Ikechukwu Obasi, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the recent closure of the Onitsha Main Market and other markets in Anambra State, demanding over ₦2 billion in damages.


The suit is directed against Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Attorney General of Anambra State, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, and the Inspector General of Police.



Barrister Obasi filed the case under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, arguing that the decision to shut down markets due to traders’ continued observance of Monday sit-at-home amounts to a violation of constitutionally protected rights.

According to the court documents, the lawyer is acting in defense of affected traders whose businesses were disrupted by the government’s directive.



In his suit, Obasi contends that the market closures infringed on multiple rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which Nigeria has domesticated into law.


The rights listed in the suit include:

- Right to personal liberty

- Freedom from forced labour

- Right to human dignity

- Freedom of movement

- Freedom of peaceful assembly and association

- Right to privacy

- Right to economic development

- Freedom of expression


He argues that compelling traders to open their shops under threat of closure, arrest, or sanctions amounts to coercion and economic punishment.



The claimant maintains that while government has a duty to maintain public order and security, such actions must be carried out within the boundaries of the law and with respect for citizens’ fundamental rights.


He further argues that market closures disproportionately affect small-scale traders and daily earners, worsening economic hardship in an already fragile business environment.



Barrister Obasi is asking the Federal High Court to:

- Declare the market closures unconstitutional

- Hold the defendants liable for violating traders’ fundamental rights

- Award over ₦2 billion in damages as compensation

- Grant other reliefs the court may deem fit 



    You can also read: Soludo Meets Onitsha Main Market Leaders, Pushes End to Monday Closures: https://everydaystorynetwork.blogspot.com/2026/01/soludo-meets-onitsha-main-market.html








The case adds a new legal dimension to the ongoing debate around Monday sit-at-home enforcement in the South-East, particularly the balance between security measures and economic freedom.


Legal observers note that the outcome could set an important precedent on how far state authorities can go in enforcing compliance without breaching constitutional rights.


As of the time of filing this report, the defendants have not publicly responded to the suit. The court is expected to fix a date for hearing.

More details are expected to emerge as proceedings unfold.

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