By joshua Orukpe Calls For Special Court To Prosecute Illegal Union Promoters, Extortioners In Edo Markets
By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin city
The President of the Traders Welfare Union, Comrade Lucky Orukpe, has called on Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to establish a special court to prosecute promoters of illegal unions and market extortioners, just as the state is doing for suspected kidnappers and cultists.
Orukpe made the appeal on Friday while commending Governor Okpebholo for what he described as the administration’s bold decision to ban illegal unions operating in markets across the state.
According to him, individuals who force traders to join unions or pay illegal levies before selling their goods should face accelerated prosecution.
“Governor Okpebholo, as you have set up a special court to try suspected kidnappers and cultists, I want to appeal to you to also include those who compel traders to join unions before they can sell their farm produce or any other goods in Edo markets. Let such people also be taken to a special court for accelerated justice,” Orukpe stated.
The activist who is also an evangelist alleged that some market leaders were responsible for artificial scarcity by imposing illegal charges on traders, thereby contributing to rising food prices and hardship for residents.
Orukpe also urged traders across the 18 local government areas of Edo State to report cases of forced union membership, illegal ticketing, or extortion to the Traders Welfare Union whenever they occurred.
He further alleged that some extortionists sometimes enlist the support of police officers and other security personnel to intimidate and extort traders.
Reflecting on the situation before the current administration, the ‘no nonsense activist said Edo markets were plagued by illegal unions, multiple taxation, extortion, and the issuance of unauthorized tickets.
He noted that for the past 28 years, he and his team had been campaigning against illegal practise in the state’s markets.
According to him, before Governor Okpebholo assumed office, he had met with the governor on two occasions to discuss the challenges facing traders, particularly the impact of illegal unions and ticketing on the prices of foodstuffs and farm produce.
Orukpe said the governor had promised to tackle the problems if elected and expressed satisfaction that the administration had fulfilled that commitment.
He praised the governor for creating a safer environment for traders and eliminating what he described as widespread exploitation in Edo markets.
“Today, Edo traders are safe because we have a governor who is fighting against extortion and injustice. I can confidently say that Edo State is now very peaceful, especially concerning market activities. Illegal ticketing and illegal unions have been banned,” he stated.
Orukpe also appealed to Edo people at home and in the diaspora to acknowledge what he described as the positive reforms in the state’s markets.
While recognizing the right of citizens to criticize public officials, he maintained that Governor Okpebholo had transformed the market system by ending illegal ticketing and outlawing unauthorized unions.
He reiterated his support for the administration’s efforts to sanitize market operations and called for stronger legal measures to ensure those engaging in market-related extortion are brought to justice swiftly.