Okada operators drag Delta govt to court

COMMERCIAL motorcycle operators, commonly called Okada, in Effurun, Delta State, have asked a state High Court sitting in Effurun to restrain the state government and its agents from banning or stopping them from using motorcycles as a means of transportation and livelihood in Effurun, Warri and Asaba, after September 30, 2012.

The state government had banned Okada in the state, effective October 1.

Applicants in the suit are Mr. Ufuoma Awiniki, Richard Mragbozo and Felix, while respondents are the Governor of the state, Commissioner for Transport, Attorney General of the state and the state Commissioner of Police.

The motorcyclists are praying the court for, among others, a declaration that the administrative directive by government to the police, to arrest, detain and charge them to court after September 31,  or any other time, is unconstitutional.

Their counsel,  Mr. Ahweyevu Mukoro, is contending that the Delta State Government recently  proposed a ban on operations of commercial motorcycles in Effurun, Warri and Asaba,  from October 1, arguing that the directive, which singled out members from Effurun, Warri and Asaba communities for ban,  contraveneed the applicants’ rights to freedom from discrimination.

Source:Vanguard