By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra Police Command has warned against any act capable of leading to breakdown of law and order in the state.

This is coming on the heels of an alleged plan by some members of former Executive of Fegge Landlords Association, Onitsha South Local Government Area to storm the Agu Awka seat of power to protest against the possible return of the immediate past Transition Chairman of the Council, Chief Joseph Orji.

In his reaction, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochikwu Ikenga, said the Command is not aware of any protest by any group or groups.

He said: "I received this as an intelligent information to guide the Command in this regard and I will escalate it for proper attention.

"In view of the level of peace and calm in the state, the police cannot afford to allow any action that can undermine the peaceful situation in the state."

Ikenga stressed that any protest should be communicated to the Police to avoid miscreants hijacking it to cause break down of law and order.

Meanwhile, the former Secretary of Onitsha South Local Government, Mr Paul Onuachalla, in a statement said that the former landlord executives of Onitsha Council area have no power to protest against possible return of the former chairman of the council.

He said that following the expiration of their tenure last month, they ceased being in-charge of the association and therefore cannot speak for the body again.

The statement partly reads: "The attention of South Local Government is drawn to the planned violent protest organized by Rex Wilson Anyaoha and others who are former executive members Onitsha South Landlords Association (Fegge Layout) against Onitsha South Local Government.

“It is must be noted that Rex Wilson Anyaoha and others ceased to be executive of the Fegge Landlords Association following the expiration of their tenure on 19th March 2024.

“On 25th March .2024 their leadership was formerly dissolved following a petition by stakeholders.

“The Onitsha South Landlords Association (Fegge layout) is under Caretaker leadership of Chief Nwabunee with primary mandate to receive handover notes and conduct a fresh election within a reasonable time.

“Rex Wilson Anyaoha led exco appealed to the Governor via commissioner for Local Government , Chieftaincy and Community affairs. The Rt Honourable Tony Collins Nwabunwanne in his wisdom graciously granted extra months expiring on 26th May 2024.

“Again out of desperation, Rex Wilson Anyaoha and others approached Onitsha High Court and obtained experte Order against Onitsha South Goverment , and Caretaker committee members.

“For completeness, the experte Court order restraining Caretaker committee of Onitsha South landlords Association ( Fegge layout) has since elapsed and attempt to extend the order before His Lordship Onyefule on 29th May .2024 court 3 was rejected.

“Anyaoha and co have turned themselves mini dictators, mafia and litigious over the years. They are so relaxed that they forgot that they have over-run their tenure.

“They have instituted bogus suits against state and local government over the years, all apparent alibi to achieve selfish ends. In the words of the eminent jurist, “You cannot revive a dead horse’.

“We learnt that thugs and bad eggs have been procured by Anyaoha and Co. We strongly advise Anyaoha and co to thread with extreme caution as Council will not hesitate to prosecute anyone fomenting trouble.”

When contacted Anyaoha insisted that they are law abiding citizens of Anambra state with rights and privileges to protest against injustice in the state.

He maintained their loyalty to the administration of Gov Chukwuma Soludo, noting that the allegation of using thugs is false.

According to him, there is nothing like planting thugs to cause breakdown of law and order in the state.