A controversy has erupted over the construction and allocation of newly built multi-billion-naira shop blocks at the Agbedo Motor Parts Market in Nnewi, Anambra State, following allegations of financial impropriety involving the project.
Prominent Nnewi businessman and community leader, Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, popularly known as Gabros, recently alleged in a viral video that more than ₦4 billion generated from the allocation of the newly constructed shops had been misappropriated.
Although Chukwuma did not specifically identify those allegedly involved, the claims have sparked widespread debate among traders and residents, prompting officials connected to the project to deny any wrongdoing.
LG Chairman Denies Involvement
Reacting to the allegations during a fact-finding interaction with journalists on Thursday, the Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Echezona Anazodo, distanced himself and the local government from the construction, allocation and financial management of the project.
Anazodo maintained that the market development was undertaken entirely by private investors through the market leadership and not by the local government.
According to him, neither he nor the council collected any money from traders or managed funds related to the project.
“I did not collect any money from anybody. Neither I nor the local government received or managed any funds for that project,” he said.
The council chairman explained that while the local government was aware of the project and supported its implementation, the execution was handled independently by a contractor engaged by the market committee.
“We were aware of the project and facilitated its implementation, but the work itself was carried out by a contractor appointed by the market committee,” he added.
He urged members of the public to independently verify the facts by speaking directly with those involved in the construction and allocation process.
“I encourage members of the public to visit the project site and speak with the people directly involved. They should investigate what actually transpired and verify whether any money was paid to the local government.”
Market Chairman Speaks
Also reacting to the allegations, the Chairman of Agbedo Motor Parts Market, Kennedy Oguaju, insisted that the project was conceived, financed and executed solely by traders in the market.
According to Oguaju, the development was a private initiative funded by market stakeholders and carried out through a contractor appointed by the market committee.
He stressed that neither the local government nor his office handled the sale or allocation of the newly constructed shops.
Oguaju also dismissed claims that some of the shops were distributed as political rewards or compensation to loyalists, describing such allegations as false and misleading.
He maintained that the market leadership remained committed to transparency and urged anyone with credible evidence of wrongdoing to present it to the appropriate authorities.
Allegations Yet to Be Substantiated
The allegations by Chief Chukwuma have generated significant public attention due to the huge amount involved and the strategic importance of the Agbedo Motor Parts Market to commercial activities in Nnewi.
However, no official investigation has yet confirmed the claims of embezzlement or illegal allocation of shops.
With both the local government chairman and the market leadership denying any financial involvement in the project, the controversy is expected to fuel further calls for an independent probe to establish how the shops were allocated and how funds generated from the project were managed.
