By Uzo Ugwunze

Traders at the New Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkpor, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, have been warned against closing their shops on Mondays in observance of any sit-at-home order by non-state actors, as violators risk fines of up to N20 million under the new Anambra State Markets Law 2026.

The warning was issued by the Chairman of the market, Chief Stephen Ofoleh, popularly known as “Award,” during an emergency meeting held at the market hall on Thursday.

Addressing traders, Ofoleh stressed the need for full compliance with the newly enacted market law, which prohibits absence from markets in observance of sit-at-home directives not sanctioned by the state government.

According to him, the emergency meeting followed a recent meeting between the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, and leaders of 41 major markets classified as markets of “significant economic and security interest” in the state.

Ofoleh said the new law, passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly in March 2026, empowers the state government to exercise oversight over designated markets through the Ministry of Commerce, irrespective of whether the markets were established by government or private individuals.

He noted that copies of the law had already been made available on the market’s online platforms for traders to download and study ahead of its enforcement beginning Monday, May 25, 2026.

He explained that under the law, any trader who keeps a shop closed on Mondays in observance of sit-at-home risks having the premises sealed by government officials pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

“If government officials come here on Monday and discover your shop is closed, they will seal it up. Your duty will then be to meet the government in the Anambra State High Court. If found guilty, you will pay the sum of N20 million,” Ofoleh said.

He further warned that any trader who tampers with or breaks a government seal placed on a shop would face an additional N20 million fine, bringing the total penalty to N40 million.

According to him, traders may also opt for plea bargain arrangements by paying between N5 million and N10 million out of court.

Ofoleh added that the proceeds from the fines would be shared between the state and local governments, a development he said would encourage strict enforcement of the law.

The chairman also announced new operational hours for the market, directing traders to open their shops from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, with particular emphasis on Mondays.

He said monitoring teams could visit the market at any time to ensure compliance.

Ofoleh disclosed that even in cases where an entire market line or block intends to close shops for burial activities involving a deceased trader, prior approval must be obtained from the government.

He also informed traders of a fresh directive requiring the compilation of accurate biodata of all traders in the market for submission to both local and state governments.

Some traders at the meeting, however, expressed concerns over the directive to report to the market by 7 a.m. on Mondays, citing long travel distances and transportation difficulties.

Responding, Ofoleh assured them that Governor Soludo had already engaged commercial transport operators and truck owners to ensure smooth transportation in support of the state government’s directives.

Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information,Anambra State