ASMATA zonal chairman petitions Soludo over sack by PG
…he abandoned his duty Says PG
By Our Reporter
Dissatisfied with his purported sack as the Oyi zonal chairman of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, by the ASMATA President General, PG, Chief Humphrey Anuna, the said sacked chairman, Mr. Peter Nwankwo, has petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo for rescue stating that his hands are clean and described claim by PG that he abandoned his duty as false, unfounded and a figment of the PG’s imagination.
In the petition, written through his counsel, A.D. Obinwune of K.C. Ezeanyika and Co, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, was titled, “Re: purported removal of Mr. Peter Nwankwo as zonal chairman, ASMATA Oyi zone-request for urgent Ministerial intervention”.
According to the petition the appointment of Nwankwo by Anambra State government through the immediate past Special Adviser (SPAD) to Soludo on Trade and Markets, Hon. Evaris Uba has neither been revoked nor terminated by the Government of Anambra State, being the competent authority.
“There is, equally, no known directive, instrument, resolution or other lawful authority authorising the President-General of ASMATA to remove or suspend our client or appoint his replacement notwithstanding the office of Anuna as PG.
“The PG cannot therefore assume powers which have not been conferred upon him, particularly powers belonging to the appointment of authority.
“More troubling is that no reason whatsoever has been given for our Client’s purported removal. He has not been accused of any specific misconduct, issued any query, informed of any allegation or subjected to any disciplinary proceeding. He was not afforded any opportunity to respond to any complaint before the purported decision was taken.
“The purported removal therefore raises serious issues of fair hearing, natural justice and due administrative process. There was no hearing because no proceeding was commenced; no response was sought because no allegation was communicated; and no lawful disciplinary decision, to our knowledge, preceded the purported removal”.
Consequently, Nwankwo, through his consel said, “We respectfully submit that the fact that Mr. Anuna is the President-General of ASMATA does not, without more, confer upon him an unrestricted power to remove, suspend or replace another Government-appointed officer. He cannot, by virtue of his office, elevate himself above the authority that constituted our Client’s appointment.
“Indeed, having purportedly removed our Client, by Anuna and subsequent appointment of Mr. Everest Ijezie as his replacement is equally questionable, as he could not create a vacancy by an act which he himself had no lawful authority to undertake and thereafter fill that purported vacancy.
“If allowed to continue unchecked, this practice could undermine the authority of Government, create competing centres of leadership within ASMATA and generate avoidable confusion and tension among traders. It may also establish an undesirable precedent whereby individual office holders unilaterally alter appointments made by Government.
In the circumstances, and in the interest of peace, administrative order and the preservation of the authority of Government, we respectfully request Your Excellency’s urgent intervention to direct an immediate review of the circumstances surrounding the purported removal of our Client as Chairman of ASMATA, Oyi Zone;
“Also direct that the purported removal be treated as null, void and of no administrative effect, pending a determination by the competent governmental authority, direct that our Client continues to be recognised as the duly appointed Chairman of ASMATA, Oyi Zone, pending any lawful decision by the competent authority and direct that no effect be given to the purported appointment of Ijezie or any other person as replacement without the approval of the competent Government authority.
“We trust that Your Excellency will give this matter the urgent attention it deserves in order to preserve the integrity of Government’s appointments and maintain peace and order within ASMATA, Oyi Zone.
The petition was copied the state Commissioner for Commerce, secretary to state Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama,and Director, Department of State Services, DSS.
But in a swift reaction, the PG recalled that during the swearing in of Ijezie, he presented reasons for the termination of Nwankwo’s appointment to include, non attendance to ASMATA meetings and out door functions, given three of them to buttress his claim.
“Nwankwo and others removed gave their reason that no money comes out from ASMATA Secretariat and as such no benefit to them from there.
“They deceived and spoilt the minds of market leaders with gossips which heavily affected the smooth running of the affairs of ASMATA leadership as if I gain anything without sharing to them.
“These are some of the tangible reasons for their removal and subsequent substitution as their offices can not operate in vacuum,” PG Anuna maintained
