By Onuchukwu Hamilton.
It may look so platitudious to repeat the fact that most of the abandoned materials for market development in Imo State are reportedly being diverted, converted or stolen ,as on the 24th day of may , traders in Mgbidi Timber Market reportedly boiled for a showdown that however stopped One Barr. Chinedu Nwowu from taking away some materials meant for the completion of shop projects which were abandoned since the exit of Sen. Rochas Okorocha as former Governor of the State.
Imo journalists on investigative report, had gathered that Barr. Nwowu took charge of the Mgbidi timber market structures since the officially assigned developer , one Mr. Nath, abandoned the project for a reason that is yet established at press time. This unceremonious absence of the developer , questions how a private lawyer became the wheels driving the structural affairs of a market in a government land, without a recourse to either the local Government or the State Ministry of Trade and Investment that controls market activities and its revenues.
When contacted, Barr. Nwowu told journalists that he represents the market developer, Mr. Nath. In his words ” I was with him( Mr. Nath) in Edo state last week thursday. ” I discovered that they’re stealing the irons(rods) in that market” I am directly in control of every property in that market . ” In the course of trying to relocate the rods where an inventory will be taken, the acting market master Mr. ThanKGod Abiaziem came and said that it would be very unfair that those materials will be removed under his regime”
The Barr. also reveals that the said materials are personal properties to the developer whom he said, got an approval from the State Assembly to personally execute the project and manage it for a given period of time.
According to sources at the scene, the lawyer was reportedly in possession of the said items before he was halted by security men and the traders. They further assert that the lawyer has been using his position to come and remove some of the materials. It was also noted that some traders who paid for the abandoned uncompleted shops since the past years, are boiling for a showdown if not refunded or settled.
One may wish to advise at this jucture that the rules of professional conduct for legal practitioners 2007 is unique as a high standard of conduct is expected from lawyers, and in the practice of law. The legal practitioners disciplinary committee has always announced that a written complains against a legal practitioner could be addressed to either the CJN, The Attorney General of the Federation, President, Court of Appeal or Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, AG of the State, Chairman , body of Benches and President, NBA or the Chairman of a branch of NBA.
Conducts unbecoming of a legal practitioner are myraids, like formenting strife or instigating litigation, practicing as a legal practitioner while engaged in the business of buying and selling commodities, the business of commission agent and other businesses that tend to undermine the high standing of the profession, putting personal benefits or gain or taking advantage of the confidence reposed in you by your clients.
However, the Mgbidi Market Master, Mr. ThankGod Abiaziem, has appealed to the State Government to equally come and rescue the traders in the areas of access road and utilities.
