Commercial motorcycle operations, commonly called Okada in Edo State, have dragged the state government before a Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, challenging the recent ban on their operations by the state government.

It will be recalled that the Okada operators were recently banned from operating in three local government areas in Benin metropolis.

They are contending in the suit that the ban constituted a violation of their rights to fair hearing and freedom of movement as guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria as amended and Articles 7 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The Okada operators in the suit by their counsel, Mr Dele Igbinedion, described the ban on their operations by the state government as unconstitutional and illegal.

Plaintiff, Mr. Charles James on behalf of himself and others is contending that the governor does not have powers to verbally ban Nigerians from using their validly licensed motorcycles; neither can he make laws nor abrogate existing Road Traffic Laws.

In a 24-paragraph affidavit, he averred that Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s verbal ban impliedly cancels his licences, all duly obtained and still valid, adding that the duty of the governor, “is to execute laws validly made by the state House of Assembly,” insisting that the threat to confiscate and destroy his Okada with valid registration number QC 093 GBZ, was ultra vires.

The applicant is therefore, praying the court to perpetually restrain the respondents by themselves, agents, servants or privies, howsoever, from carrying out the orders of the governor in the affected local government areas.

He also want the court to set aside Oshiomhole’s verbal ban on the use of motorcycles from plying all roads in the three affected councils, which took effect from Sunday, June 16, 2013 and N50million as damages against the respondents as general and or exemplary damages/compensation for the breach of his fundamental rights.

Source - www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/okada-riders-sue-edo-govt-over-ban/

It's quite sad that these guys have lost their source of livelihood, but truth be told, they should move on (perhaps to Keke business)rather than engage the govt in a long drawn battle. It wouldn't yield any results in the end.

Make dem go siddon

As expected!!!!

#yawns!! I already know who will win the case!!

mu hehehe

After he was re-elected. Could that be compensation to the masses. Fashola did the same. I know okada riders will be scared to vote any of these ACNs governors for second term. I will keep watch on Ogun State.

THEY NEED TO HIRE CHARLY BOY TO COME RIDE BUTT NEKKID IN PROTEST TO THE GOVT HOUSE

fighting a lost battle.

bella berry: It's quite sad that these guys have lost their source of livelihood, but truth be told, they should move on (perhaps to Keke business)rather than engage the govt in a long drawn battle. It wouldn't yield any results in the end.

why not give them the loan to buy keke napep. ACN wikedness as usual. After tricking them to support him.

I refuse to comment

okosodo: Make dem go siddon

that's easy for you to say because you still rely on your mama's income.

Can't believe some people are fighting to remaìn poor for life, and dnt want to upgrade to taxi's or a different skill. Change is a part of life, every state that had ban Okada only experience the effect for a short time and they have all adapted to the new situation.

Finally! Someone is thinking

I'm not a fan of bikes but Oshiomole went about his ban the wrong way (without adequate notice or alternative) and took it too far by including private bikes in the ban!

it'll be interesting to see how this plays out. lets hope the court grants a stay on the ban until the matter is settled.

what happen to their savings abi dem no get before
abeg make to siddon 4 one corner jare ar they d only okada riders dat have been banned!!!

Most nigerian governors are clueless. They close one means by which nigerians feed themselves without providing alternative(s). SMH
Check out the link in my signature. . .at least no governor can close that one

ifeomabernard: what happen to their savings abi dem no get before
abeg make to siddon 4 one corner jare ar they d only okada riders dat have been banned!!!

You are totally heartless, at least have sympathy for your fellow man

Luk to ur left ----------------------------> I said left idiott

The people/group that spearheaded this idea of suing Edo state govt are just wasting a hell of a time. They could have made a meaningful thing with the money they are paying their solicitors.

Has he provided an alternative means of living for the okada riders before the ban or he just woke up one morning and banned okada thereby increasing unemployment and crime amongs the youth.Leaders should be wise.

The okada people cannot do any thing. How dear them challenge their Oga at the Top

bot101:
You are totally heartless, at least have sympathy for your fellow man

what sympathy are you talking about? They would never win that case.
Unless you are talking about sympathizing with them on a lost case.

Na wa oo, very soon now, okada will be history in nigeria.

Their lawyer is feeding on them.

Enangson: Can't believe some people are fighting to remaìn poor for life, and dnt want to upgrade to taxi's or a different skill. Change is a part of life, every state that had ban Okada only experience the effect for a short time and they have all adapted to the new situation.

They will be so happy if you buy for them a taxi!

Temismith: Na wa oo, very soon now, okada will be history in nigeria.

LOL so true!! I must tell my children how important and reckless okada's were!!

How you wan take win government? Try your luck sha.

Fightin a lost war, I hope dey win.

godman01: How you wan take win government? Try your luck sha.

Its this same defeatist mentality that makes our politicians loot without fear cos they know the common man is too scared to challenge them.

Mind you, the court is last hope of the common man.

Excuse the sentiments please. If he used them for campaign, did he ask them to aid and abet robbery and ritual killings and bank robberies and patronage of CSW?

What's so unfair about development and moving forward? Is there just one source of livelihood in that state?

I think the Gov should go about it the right way, but the ban on those killer locomotives has come to stay. Here in Lagos, they're higly not missed.

mollytinrox: Excuse the sentiments please. If he used them for campaign, did he ask them to aid and abet robbery and ritual killings and bank robberies and patronage of CSW?

What's so unfair about development and moving forward? Is there just one source of livelihood in that state?

I think the Gov should go about it the right way, but the ban on those killer locomotives has come to stay. Here in Lagos, they're higly not missed.

Exactly the point!

This mad man gave less than a week notice with no alternative in place! he even banned the private ones too. That's madness if you ask me.

Security risk or not, in a truly civilized society, nobody wakes up one morning and bans this or that. Its ludicrous! As long as its not in the state or federal statutes, nobody has a right to prevent me from doing whatever i want. Wonder why someone should spend an arm and a leg on getting a bike and then have one drunken idiot in black uniform harass him on the road while going about my truly 'legal' daily job just because of what one drunken, corrupt governor woke up one morning and uttered. Its high time people were made aware of their rights in this country. Its bad enough that the politicians steal all our money and render people to menial jobs like okada riding. To then take away what remains of us that's just criminal. I say sue the governors Ass!