BBA traders alert Gov. Sanwo-Olu  of ‘imposters’ parading as leaders 

The leaders of traders at the Balogun Business Association (BBA) based at the Association’s International Center for Commerce in Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Ojo, along Badagry Expressway, Lagos state, have alerted Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu,   about the activities of some traders parading themselves as leaders in the market who recently paid a courtesy call in his office. 

They alleged that those that paid the visit to the governor are not lawful members of the executive management and administration of the association.

In a strongly worded petition to the Governor, copied to the Attorney General of the state, the petitioners lamented that the activities of these impostor are inimical to the peace and security of the market.

They added that they individuals led by one Chief Oscar Odogwu conducted themselves contrary to and in brazen and egregious defiance and contempt of pending judicial proceedings and subsisting decisions of the Federal High Court.

The petition signed by Chief Anthony Obih, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chief Jones Okpala Secretary, Board of Trustees, Hon. Anselm Dunu, Chairman, Caretaker Committee, and Chief Leonard Ogbonnia, Secretary, Caretaker Committee, the traders stated that “we respectfully and humbly write with the utmost sense of responsibility to expose and bring to the attention of the Lagos State Government that the group of individuals led by Chief Paul Oscar Ikechukwu Odogwu (who has been parading himself as the “President” of Balogun Business Association) that paid a visit to your Excellency as purported “members of BBA Executive” are not lawfully members of the executive management and administration of the Association.

According to the traders, these ‘impostors’ conducted themselves contrary to and in brazen and egregious defiance and contempt of pending judicial proceedings and subsisting decisions of the Federal High Court in Suit No:FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2021 (Incorporated Trustees of Balogun Business Association & 6 Ors). Vs Corporate Affairs Commission & 4 Ors.) and Suit No FHC / ABJ / CS / 579 / 2021 (Incorporated Trustees of Balogun Business Association & 6 Ors. Vs Inspector General of Police &9 Ors).

“In the above mentioned judicial proceedings, the Caretaker Committee of the Association led by Honorable (Chief) AnseIem

Dunu, as the chairman, is the executive body lawfully responsible for the management, administration and control of the association and the association’s affairs. Also in the aforesaid judicial proceedings, the Board of Trustees of the Association is led by Chief Anthony Obih, as the Chairman.

“They also defied and showed contempt for the pending and ongoing proceedings of the Federal High Court in Suit No:FHC/L/CS/2665/2023 (Incorporated Trustees of Balogun Business Association & 6 Ors. Vs Mrs Chinyere Nwabunike & 8 Ors.) and Suit No:FHC/ABJ/CS/459/2024 (Incorporated Trustees of Balogun Business Association & 6 Ors. Vs Sterling Bank Ltd & Ors).

Stating that Balogun Business Association is a registered association that was incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission in 1992 with the juristic, corporate identity and name of Incorporated Trustees of Balogun Business Association, the traders explained that the Association through its International Centre for Commerce premises which it developed under a Building Lease granted to the association by the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex Management Board (which is a parastatal/agency under the Federal Ministry of Industries Trade and Investment) provides an international and inter-State platform for commerce by members of the Association and their customers from different parts of Nigeria, the ECOWAS and African Union regions.

“Your Excellency, Chief Paul Oscar Ikechukwu Odogwu did not bring to your attention the facts and circumstances in the foregoing paragraphs: rather they hid and suppressed them and thereby dishonestly practiced deception on the Government of Lagos State in order to gain audience with Your Excellency. 

“In Suit No:FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2021 referred to above, the Federal High Court made an order on the 27th of September, 2021 which is still subsisting directed at the Lagos State Government through the Honorable Attorney General of Lagos State to the effect that the Lagos State Government should not interfere or intermeddle with the subject matter of the suit.

“The subject matter of that suit is the management, administration and control of Balogun Business Association.  The Honourable Attorney General of Lagos State is the 43rd Defendant in Suit No:FHC/ABJ/CS/459/2024 brought by the Association against Chief Paul Oscar Ikechukwu Odogwu and members of his entourage and other parties.  We respectfully urge Your Excellency to treat Chief Paul Oscar Ikechukwu Odogwu for the deceivers, tricksters and impostors that they are and not to accord them any recognition as representatives of Balogun Business Association or as officers and members of any executive body of the Association.

“We also urge Your Excellency not to grant them any further audience in the name of the association and to direct all agencies of the Lagos State Government to treat them similarly.  We, lawfully acting on behalf of the Balogun Business Association, and mindful of the pending judicial proceedings in the Courts, will seek audience with Your Excellency in august circumstances that respects the Rule of Law and the Courts, to join hands with your very highly regarded government in creating the type of synergy that will multiply the benefits of your good governance to Lagosians.”

Recall that there has been roiling crisis in Balogun Business Association for quite some time and the market is presently under very high tension resulting from what many of the traders in the market allege are illegal attempts by some individuals who are parading themselves as officers of the association to extort money from the traders under the pretext of charging and collecting so-called utility bills which the traders say is a matter already before the courts. The traders insist that it is better for all to wait for the courts to resolve the dispute over payment of utility bills rather than people taking laws into their hands to harass and intimidate the traders.