The Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, has reinstated the Sir Sunday Igboanuzue-led Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA) Caretaker Committee.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babjide Sanwo-Olu, had given the Igboanuzue committee 60 to 90 days to conduct election into the executives of the market.

However, before the expiration of the date, another caretaker committee led by one Anthony Ohagwu was imposed on the traders.

The imposition of the new caretaker committee made the general election which the Igboanuzue committee was planning to suffer a setback.

This was in spite of a pending of July 22, 2021 order of the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/566/2021 between Ikechukwu Ogbo & Ors V. ASPMDA per Honourable Justice P.O. Lifu, which inter alia mandated all parties and the association to maintain status quo with regard to the removal from office of the Igboanuzue-led interim committee and conduct of the association’s election pending when the matters submitted before the court will be fully determined.

However, the traders said that to their shock and surprise, the Lagos State Attorney General wrote a letter dated October 18, 2021, purportedly directing Anthony Ohagwu and two others to take over the leadership of the peaceful association, when there was no letter written to the current leadership of the association, directing them to handover the leadership and despite the pending order of court.

According to them, knowledge of the letter from the Attorney General came to them through the appointed individuals, adding that it came at the time they were making moves to reconcile the aggrieved parties who legitimately sought the order of a competent court of law in order to pave way for the conduct of general election as directed by the Lagos State Governor.

In its latest ruling on Thursday, November 11, 2021, the Federal High Court ordered thus: “This Honourable Court made on the 22th of July, 2021, hereby reiterated that all parties who have appeared through their respective counsel in the court today are hereby directed to maintain the status quo and advice their respective clients to keep the peace pending the hearing and determination of all pending motions and applications in the suit.”

The matter was adjourned to January 10, 2022.

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