The suspended Chairman of Ariaria International Market, Aba, Deacon Michael Aniorji, has strongly dismissed allegations contained in a recent publication titled “The Dangerous Plot to Return Deacon Mike Aniorji,” describing the claims as false, malicious, and the handiwork of faceless individuals pursuing a hidden agenda.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Aniorji denied the existence of any group known as “Concerned Ariaria Traders,” insisting that no such body operates within the Ariaria International Market.
According to him, the publication was authored by a small group of individuals he described as “crisis merchants” who, he alleged, are known within the market for fomenting unrest while hiding behind fictitious identities.
Aniorji claimed that the same individuals were responsible for challenges currently facing the acting chairman of the market, Sir Hyacinth Nnabude. He alleged that having failed to exert control through what he termed “manipulation and backroom schemes,” the individuals were now attempting to shift blame by dragging his name into a manufactured controversy.
Addressing allegations previously made against him, Aniorji stated that all claims had been thoroughly investigated during his tenure by a panel set up by the former Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha. He said the panel found no incriminating evidence against him, stressing that no wrongdoing was established and no indictment recorded.
He further rejected accusations portraying him as an instigator of violence or sponsor of crisis in the market, describing such claims as deliberate distortions.
Aniorji maintained that his actions had always been rooted in advocacy, dialogue, and lawful engagement in defence of traders’ welfare, and not in any form of incitement or unrest.
The former market leader also criticised attempts to involve unions, women groups, and institutions in what he described as a fabricated narrative, arguing that repeated investigations had failed to substantiate any of the allegations against him.
Aniorji challenged the authors of the publication to publicly disclose their identities and present verifiable facts to Ariaria traders, rather than operating under what he termed “imaginary bodies.”
He warned that the intelligence of traders should not be insulted by anonymous publications and misinformation.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I am not plotting anything, I am not forcing myself on anyone, and I am not seeking relevance through confusion,” he said, adding that he would not remain silent while anonymity was used to mislead traders and the public.
He concluded by reaffirming that Ariaria International Market belongs to its traders and not to what he described as “ghost organisations,” insisting that truth would ultimately expose falsehood, regardless of how often it is repeated.
