We’ve not started implementing ban on Okada- Lagos Government

The Lagos State Government has
said that despite the several
ongoing harassments of
commercial motorcycle
operators and seizure of their
motorcycles by enforcement
agencies, it is yet to begin the
implementation of the new
traffic law which bans the
cyclists from major roads in the
state.
The State Government made this
claim to a Lagos High Court on
Wednesday, through the State’s
Attorney General and
Commissioner of Justice, Ade
Ipaye; and his predecessor and
Professor of Law, Yemi Osibajo.
Both men, Messrs Ipaye and
Osibajo, told the court that the
state has not started
implementing the law banning
the Okada riders from operation.
The motorcyclists, under the
aegis of Incorporated Trustees
of All Nigerians Autobike
Commercial Owners and
Workers Association, dragged
the state to court to reverse the
ban of their activities in most
parts of the state, particularly on
the federal highways.
Joined in the suit, as defendants,
are the Lagos State Government,
the State’s Attorney General, and
the House of Assembly. Mr.
Ipaye represented himself and
the Lagos State Government;
while Mr. Osibajo, is standing in
for the House of Assembly.
“There are no such facts as
alleged by the defendants,” Mr.
Ipaye said, in response to claims
that they have begun
enforcement.
The Attorney General insinuated
that the activities of the
enforcement agencies were not
directly related to the Lagos
Traffic Law.
“The Okada riders went on
rampage on Monday….
Enforcement agencies are not
parties to this matter. I can’t on
their behalf say to this court that
they will not do their duty,” Mr.
Ipaye said.
Counsel to the motorcyclists,
Bamidele Aturu, expressed his
shock at the statements of the
State’s counsels.
Mr. Aturu said that he was
“startled” at the state’s claim that
they are a separate entity from
the enforcement agencies.
“The Commissioner of Police
takes instruction from the
governor in respect of
enforcement,” he said.
The adjournment
At the court, on Wednesday, the
motorcyclists filled the court
room to the brim, most of them
spilling into the corridor. Others,
armed with placards, waited
outside the high court’s
premises.
“The defendants have no power
whatsoever to make any law to
regulate traffic on any of the
federal trunk or highway roads
listed in Schedule II to the Lagos
State Road Traffic Law, No 4 of
2012 and in the Federal
Highways Act, cap F13, Laws of
the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,”
the motorcyclists said in their
court arguments.
Mr. Aturu prayed the court to
grant an accelerated hearing of
the main suit “so that we can
deal with this matter.” He also
withdrew an initial suit for
interlocutory injunction in which
he asked the court to restrain
the state from enforcement of
the law.
The court adjourned the hearing
to November 16.