2nd May, 2017
The operatives of the Lagos State Task Force have impounded 98 motorcycles, popularly known as okada in Mile 2 area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria and arraigned 14 operators in court.
The Chairman of the Agency, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi disclosed that the 98 motorcycles were impounded around 2nd Rainbow Bus-stop towards Mile 2 area of Lagos.
Egbeyemi disclosed further that illegal activities of the motorcycle operators coupled with report of criminal activities by innocent members of the public prompted the actions of the agency.
He stated that the notorious motorcycle operators were indiscriminately plying restricted routes and robbing innocent members of the public of their valuables such as mobile phones, bags and wrist-watches.
The Chairman stated that the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012, ‘Scheduled (1) item 22 restricted motorcycle operators from plying 375 roads which included highways and bridges across the State.
Egbeyemi noted that report made to his office indicated that these notorious motorcycle operators after the day’s work engaged in criminal activities by robbing innocent citizens, particularly at Amuwo-Odofin and FESTAC in general.
He confirmed that 14 arrested motorcycle operators, during the operations were arraigned before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi of the Lagos State Mobile Court on the directives of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni.
Meanwhile, 14 arrested motorcycle operators pleaded guilty after the prosecuting lawyers, Adedoyin Odukoya and Ajibola Olumide read the one count charged of ‘riding motorcycles on prohibited routes as against scheduled (1), item 22 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012 to them.
Magistrate Owolabi immediately after the accused had pleaded guilty to the offence however ordered the confiscation of the 98 impounded motorcycles and ordered a 10-hour community service at government public places to each of the arrested 14 operators.
The Registrar of the Lagos State Mobile Court, Bakare Jamiyu hinted that the 14 arrested motorcycle operators had been taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja and other public places in compliance with the court judgement.