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Lagos impounds 115 motorcycles in renewed clampdown

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Supreme Court reserves judgment in 19 states’ suit challenging EFCC legitimacy Supreme Court reserves judgment in 19 states’ suit challenging EFCC legitimacy Suit By Taiye Agbaje/Ebere Agozie Abuja, Oct. 22, 2024 (NAN) The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, reserved judgment in the suit filed by 19 states challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The apex court is to communicate a date for judgment to all parties. The plaintiffs, in the suit marked: SC/CV/178/2023, argued that in Dr Joseph Nwobike Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria, the apex court had held that it was a UN Convention against corruption that was reduced into the EFCC Establishment Act and that in enacting this law in 2004, the provision of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was not followed. The argument was that, in bringing a convention into the Nigerian law, the provision of Section 12 must be complied with. According to them, the provision of the constitution necessitated the majority of the states’ Houses of Assembly agreeing to bringing the convention in before passing the EFCC Act and others, which was allegedly never done. The argument of the states in their present suit, which they had reportedly been corroborated by the Supreme Court in the previous case mentioned, is that the law, as enacted, could not be applied to states that never approved of it, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian constitution. Hence, they argued that any institution so formed should be regarded as an illegal institution. At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, three states; Imo and Bauchi and Taraba joined the suit as co-plaintiffs while Osun sought a consolidation of the suit. In another development, three states; Anambra, Ebonyi and Adamawa announced their decisions to withdraw their suits. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who was present in court as the defendant, had craved the court’s indulgence to take the process they filed on Tuesday morning. Justice Uwani Abba-Aji thereby granted leave to the defendant to use the reply on point of law filed on Tuesday. Mohammed Abdulwahab, SAN, who appeared for the 1st plaintiff (Kogi Attorney-General), pointed out that the amended processes filed by the AGF were different from what had initially been filed, noting that he had to refile his processes to answer to the fresh issues and facts. The old processes were therefore struck out. “I seek your lordship indulgence to adopt the processes. We urge your lordship to grant all the reliefs sought. “The crux of our suit is the decision of this court. The counsel that represented the appellant in that suit by the rules of this Court Order 4, will be called to address this court. “He participated in the bill that birthed the EFCC and ICPC together,” he said. The judge asked who the counsel was and Abdulwahab replied: “Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.” “Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, told this court that it was the Convention of the UN that reduced this into law. Section 12, that provision, was never followed. “This fact was not an issue with the case of AG Ondo Vs AG Federation. So there is a specific provision for bringing a convention in. You cannot just be talking about Items 7 of 8. “We are also challenging the foundation of those laws that created NIFU, EFCC, etc. in order not to create a constitutional crisis. “We urge you to allow our appeal and award heavy cost in favour of the plaintiffs on record,” the counsel said. Responding, Fagbemi contended that the case of AG Ondo v. AG Federation and other decisions had already settled all the issues raised in the plaintiffs’ case and that the Supreme Court could not depart from those decisions. He therefore prayed that the suit be dismissed. When the suit in A-G Ekiti State Vs AGF was called, no lawyer appeared Counsel for the defendant, T. A Gazali, SAN, told the court that the state was not represented at the last sitting and was not also in court on Tuesday. “We apply that the matter be struck out for want of diligent prosecution my lord,” Gazali prayed and the application was granted. In the suit filed by A-G Osun against the AGF, the state’s A-G, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, SAN, who was in court, informed the court of their application for consolidation of their suit with that of Kogi. Also, Nasarawa A-G, S.M. Labaran, told the court of their intention to consolidate the suit. In the same vein, the A-G of Ogun, represented by Omotayo Olatunbosun, said though they sought a consolidation of the case, he prayed that their case abide in suit number: SC/CV/178/2024 between A-G of Kogi Vs AGF. Justice Abba-Aji, in the ruling, reserved judgment in the Kogi suit and ruled that all the three suits filed by Osun, Nasarawa and Ogun seeking for consolidation shall abide with arguments in the original suit filed by Kogi. On Tuesday, the number of states challenging the constitutionality of the EFCC and others had climbed to 19, including Kogi, despite the withdrawal of three states. The states are Kogi, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Oyo, Benue, Plateau, Cross River, Ondo, Niger, Edo, Bauchi, Imo, Osun, Nasarawa, Ogun, Taraba.
Supreme Court reserves judgment in 19 states’ suit challenging EFCC legitimacy Supreme Court reserves judgment in 19 states’ suit challenging EFCC legitimacy Suit By Taiye Agbaje/Ebere Agozie Abuja, Oct. 22, 2024 (NAN) The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, reserved judgment in the suit filed by 19 states challenging the constitutionality of the laws establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The apex court is to communicate a date for judgment to all parties. The plaintiffs, in the suit marked: SC/CV/178/2023, argued that in Dr Joseph Nwobike Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria, the apex court had held that it was a UN Convention against corruption that was reduced into the EFCC Establishment Act and that in enacting this law in 2004, the provision of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was not followed. The argument was that, in bringing a convention into the Nigerian law, the provision of Section 12 must be complied with. According to them, the provision of the constitution necessitated the majority of the states’ Houses of Assembly agreeing to bringing the convention in before passing the EFCC Act and others, which was allegedly never done. The argument of the states in their present suit, which they had reportedly been corroborated by the Supreme Court in the previous case mentioned, is that the law, as enacted, could not be applied to states that never approved of it, in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian constitution. Hence, they argued that any institution so formed should be regarded as an illegal institution. At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, three states; Imo and Bauchi and Taraba joined the suit as co-plaintiffs while Osun sought a consolidation of the suit. In another development, three states; Anambra, Ebonyi and Adamawa announced their decisions to withdraw their suits. The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who was present in court as the defendant, had craved the court’s indulgence to take the process they filed on Tuesday morning. Justice Uwani Abba-Aji thereby granted leave to the defendant to use the reply on point of law filed on Tuesday. Mohammed Abdulwahab, SAN, who appeared for the 1st plaintiff (Kogi Attorney-General), pointed out that the amended processes filed by the AGF were different from what had initially been filed, noting that he had to refile his processes to answer to the fresh issues and facts. The old processes were therefore struck out. “I seek your lordship indulgence to adopt the processes. We urge your lordship to grant all the reliefs sought. “The crux of our suit is the decision of this court. The counsel that represented the appellant in that suit by the rules of this Court Order 4, will be called to address this court. “He participated in the bill that birthed the EFCC and ICPC together,” he said. The judge asked who the counsel was and Abdulwahab replied: “Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN.” “Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, told this court that it was the Convention of the UN that reduced this into law. Section 12, that provision, was never followed. “This fact was not an issue with the case of AG Ondo Vs AG Federation. So there is a specific provision for bringing a convention in. You cannot just be talking about Items 7 of 8. “We are also challenging the foundation of those laws that created NIFU, EFCC, etc. in order not to create a constitutional crisis. “We urge you to allow our appeal and award heavy cost in favour of the plaintiffs on record,” the counsel said. Responding, Fagbemi contended that the case of AG Ondo v. AG Federation and other decisions had already settled all the issues raised in the plaintiffs’ case and that the Supreme Court could not depart from those decisions. He therefore prayed that the suit be dismissed. When the suit in A-G Ekiti State Vs AGF was called, no lawyer appeared Counsel for the defendant, T. A Gazali, SAN, told the court that the state was not represented at the last sitting and was not also in court on Tuesday. “We apply that the matter be struck out for want of diligent prosecution my lord,” Gazali prayed and the application was granted. In the suit filed by A-G Osun against the AGF, the state’s A-G, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, SAN, who was in court, informed the court of their application for consolidation of their suit with that of Kogi. Also, Nasarawa A-G, S.M. Labaran, told the court of their intention to consolidate the suit. In the same vein, the A-G of Ogun, represented by Omotayo Olatunbosun, said though they sought a consolidation of the case, he prayed that their case abide in suit number: SC/CV/178/2024 between A-G of Kogi Vs AGF. Justice Abba-Aji, in the ruling, reserved judgment in the Kogi suit and ruled that all the three suits filed by Osun, Nasarawa and Ogun seeking for consolidation shall abide with arguments in the original suit filed by Kogi. On Tuesday, the number of states challenging the constitutionality of the EFCC and others had climbed to 19, including Kogi, despite the withdrawal of three states. The states are Kogi, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Oyo, Benue, Plateau, Cross River, Ondo, Niger, Edo, Bauchi, Imo, Osun, Nasarawa, Ogun, Taraba.
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Lagos impounds 115 motorcycles in renewed clampdown

The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, has launched a comprehensive operation targeting recalcitrant motorcycle operators violating the ban on certain routes across the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, on Wednesday in Lagos.

Akerele disclosed that the exercise, which had been reinforced across various parts of the state, had led to 115 motorcycles being impounded quickly.

“The latest enforcement operations were carried out in key areas such as LASU First Gate, Ipaja Gate, Governor’s Road, Igando axis, and Dopemu, where Okada operators were found blatantly flouting the state’s traffic regulations.

“The agency, in collaboration with other security outfits, had vowed to maintain its zero-tolerance approach to violations on these restricted routes.

“The ban on Okada operations in certain areas was put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all Lagosians.

“We will not tolerate any breach of this order. Those who continue to operate in restricted areas, endangering the lives of road users, will face the full wrath of the law.” Akerele stated.

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The task force boss said that despite repeated warnings and sensitisation efforts, some operators remained defiant, thereby endangering public safety.

According to him, the 115 motorcycles impounded during the latest operation have been confiscated, and legal action will be taken against the violators.

The chairman reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents, as spelt out in the THEMES PLUS Agenda.

Akerele urged commercial motorcycle operators to adhere strictly to the laws governing their operations.

He also called on members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement officers by reporting violations and desist from patronising the operators for their own safety.

The chairman assured that the Lagos State task force would continue its patrols and enforcement activities across the state, particularly in areas prone to illegal motorcycle operations. (NAN)

Lagos impounds 115 motorcycles in renewed clampdown

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