Police Arrest Ozomagana Market Chairman, Two Traders Over Lingering Modebe Dispute
Tension is mounting in Onitsha, Anambra State, following the arrest of the Chairman of the Ozomagana Building Materials Traders Association, Chief Obiorah Okoro, alongside two traders, Nonso Paul and Emma Carpet, by a police team reportedly from the Legal Department of the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The arrests are said to be connected to a protracted dispute between Modebe Enterprises Limited, representing the Modebe family, and the Ozomagana Building Materials Traders Association over leased commercial properties.
The disagreement, which has lasted for about a year, has reportedly led to repeated arrests of the market chairman by operatives from Abuja.
The matter is already before the High Court of Anambra State sitting in Nnewi in Suit No. HN/MISC 50/2026 and Motion No. HN/483M/2026 before Justice V. N. Agbata.
The plaintiffs are Chief Obiorah Okoro and the Incorporated Trustees of the Ozomagana Building Materials Traders Association, while the defendants include Dr. Mike Arinze Modebe, Chidimma Dumebi Beverly Ibegbu, Ikechukwu Modebe, Modebe Enterprises Limited, senior police officers, and the Inspector General of Police.
According to court documents, Chief Okoro alleged that the dispute arose from a 50 year lease agreement involving ten plazas reportedly valued at ₦7 million each.
He claimed that after the agreement was concluded, he was pressured to surrender some of the properties on the grounds that the lease price was too low. He further alleged that his refusal led to repeated arrests and intimidation.
A market leader, Kenneth Okafor, condemned the latest arrests, arguing that the matter is already before a court of competent jurisdiction.
He appealed to the Inspector General of Police to intervene and ensure that due process is followed.
Another trader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the two traders were initially arrested on Saturday morning, while Chief Okoro was arrested later that evening when he reportedly visited the Onitsha Area Command to deliver food to the detained traders before all three were reportedly taken to Abuja on Sunday.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force and representatives of Modebe Enterprises Limited had not issued official statements regarding the arrests or the allegations made against them. The matter remains before the court.
