The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has officially praised the Anambra State administration for its efforts to settle the ongoing land ownership disagreement between the Modebe Family and the Onitsha Ozomagana Building Materials Market Association. The organization emphasized that this government action was necessary to address a conflict that had flared up again in late 2025.
In formal correspondence dated July 24, 2026, Intersociety communicated its appreciation to several key officials, including Secretary to the State Government Amaka Nnaka, Attorney General Tobechukwu Nweke, and Commissioner for Commerce Nomso Ebonwu. Emeka Umeagbalasi, the group’s chairman, advocated for a deep investigation and an accelerated resolution process by the Ministry of Commerce. He further suggested that the government establish a specialized inquiry panel to work alongside the ministry to achieve a lasting peace for the market.
Separately, Intersociety reached out to Inspector-General of Police Tunde Disu regarding police involvement in the case. The group criticized the Inspector-General’s Special Investigation Unit for treating this civil property matter as a criminal issue. They cited reports of harassment, including the unlawful detention and extortion of market traders that began earlier this year. Umeagbalasi requested that the IGP halt these interventions immediately, release those detained unjustly, and hand the case file over to the Anambra State Criminal Investigation Department to align with the government’s July 7, 2026, directive.
