Lagos Okada Riders Refute New Traffic Law, Drags Lagos State to Court

Commercial motorcycle operators, also called Okada riders, in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria have vowed to resist the new traffic law banning them from operating on major roads in the metropolis.Commercial motorcycle operators, also called Okada riders, in Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria have vowed to resist the new traffic law banning them from operating on major roads in the metropolis.

The okada riders have gone to court to seek an injunction retraining the government from banning them.

The new road traffic law banned okada riders from plying 475 roads across the Lagos metropolis and the state government has gazetted the law and is preparing to enforce it any moment from now.

Okada riders under the aegis of the All Nigerian Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association, ANACOWA, through their solicitor, Bamidele Aturu, said they were ready to engage the government in a contest at the court.

“The okada riders are saying no retreat, no surrender on this matter. The Lagos State Government always claims to abide by the rule of law. The constitution has said the states cannot impose a state traffic law on federal highways in their state.

“They are expecting the court to come to their aid. If these people are thrown out of jobs, there will be increase in robbery. The battle is on again,” he said.

In the suit filed at the High Court of Ikeja through their counsel, Aturu, ANACOWA is seeking “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants (LASG) whether by themselves, agents, servants, officers, and or privies by whomsoever and howsoever from prohibiting the claimants and members of their associations (ANACOWA) from riding, driving and or propelling of a cart, wheel barrow, motorcycle or tricycle on the major highways in Lagos listed in items 1-11 and other parts of Schedule II thereto which Major Highways are Federal Trunk or Highway Roads within the meaning of the Federal Highways Act, cap F13, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and from molesting, harassing, arresting, seizing their motorcycles or vehicles and in any other way subjecting them to any treatment, disadvantage or disfavour not suffered by any other road user.”

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/09/04/lagos-traffic-law-okada-riders-vow-resistance/