Court of Appeal upholds judgement restricting the use of Okadas on certain Lagos roads

COMMERCIAL motorcycle operators known as Okada drivers in Lagos State have lost a bid to get a ban on them plying certain routes lifted after the Court of Appeal upheld a lower court ruling restricting their movements.

 

Former Governor Babatunde Fashola had banned the use of Okadas along certain main roads in the state, saying it was needed to prevent accidents. Incensed by the ruling that they saw as an attack on their livelihood, Okada operators across the state took the government to court challenging the decision.

 

Originally, the restriction was contained in Section 3 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012. However, the Incorporated Trustees of All Nigerians Autobike Commercial Owners and Workers Association, the umbrella body for Okada riders had gone to the High Court in Lagos, contesting the move by the state government, insisting that the new law violated their rights to freedom of movement.

 

 They prayed the court to declare the rule as unconstitutional but they lost their case. On Thursday, the Court of Appeal pointed out that the ban was enacted with the overriding intention to protect the interest of the public and provide environmental sanity for Lagos.