Contempt Proceeding: AMATAS Denies Participating In Bridgehead Election

By Alphonsus Nweze
The Amalgamated Markets Traders of Anambra State (AMATAS), has denied taking part in the Bridgehead election which held on May 28, 2019 inspite of Court injunction  restraining the election.

There was an Interlocutory injunction obtained  by some concerned traders in the market from Anambra State High Court sitting in  Onitsha, restraining the defendants  who included AMATAS officials, Sunday Obinze , members of his executives and others from conducting the election.



They were equally served both form 48 and 49 for allegedly going ahead to  prepare to hold the election when they have been restrained from holding the election.

But the Counsel to AMATAS, Chief Ikenna Egbuna (SAN) told the Court presided by  Justice D.A. Anyefulu, in response to both Form 48 and 49 filed against both the leadership and members of Board of Trustees (BoT) of AMATAS that  his clients  did not take part in the election.

He said the immediate past President-General, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo,the zonal chairman of the AMATAS, Onitsha zone, Mr. Vin Ifeme, and others who suppose to conduct the election did not participate in the election.

He said the State Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Dr. Christian Madubuko, should be blamed for the election.

Counsel to other respondents filed their responses which prompted Justice Onyefulu to adjoun the matter to July 18, 2019 to all allow Mr. Emmanuel Ezemenari, counsel to the Concerned traders the time to respond to the applications of other parties in the matter.

Ezemenari said although, AMATAS denied being present during the election, sources from grapevine said they sent representatives to conduct the election.

He said if it was established they sent representatives, it amounted to a breach of order of the Court which will attract the anger of the Court.

But  he said their denial has cast doubt in the election because they were the competent authority to conduct the election.

He said they also learnt that the Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Dr. Christian Madubuko was at the election inspite of the fact that he was served and a letter bringing the pendency of the order was sent to him.

Ezemenari said it was unfortunate that such a highly placed Government official chose to flout an order of Court of competent jurisdiction, saying that the same Commissioner invited the  Concerned traders to his office in Awka, where they brainstormed and he promised to ensure everybody participated in the election, only for him to join in the election without others with a subsisting Court order.