As a Federal High? court ruling restrains the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) from imposing fines on traffic offenders , the Lagos state government yesterday restated its confidence in the agency. It also said that the agency would not be intimidated off the roads.? ?
The? Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, who reacted to the ruling said that the state government, as a law abiding entity, would uphold the constitution of the country.
?Although he was silent on whether LASTMA will abide by the court ruling and stop imposing fines, he however? said that there was need to get a clear understanding of the position of the court.
The commissioner said, “the judgment does not pronounce the activities of LASTMA as illegal. What the judgment is saying is that they should make? use of the courts. That LASTMA has the right to arrest and apprehend whoever that has committed an offence.
“ It is the court that has the right to impose fine. It is not an indictment on LASTMA. The judgment does not say that LASTMA has no right to stay on the road. The public has come to accept LASTMA as a responsible organisation”.
Efforts to reach the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye to speak on the ruling met a brick wall? as he did not pick his calls or respond? to the text messages sent to his phone.
Meanwhile , reactions have continued to trail Wednesday’s ruling by a Federal High Court in Lagos voiding the powers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to impose fine on traffic offenders.
Motorists who spoke to our correspondent? yesterday on the issue hailed the? court ruling and said that? it would help curb the excesses of the traffic management officers whose stock in trade seemed to be more dubious by the day on? the ever busy Lagos roads. A motorist, Emmanuel Diogba , said that the ruling was a victory for rule of law and added that it would reduce the menace of officers of LASTMA, who according to him, have deviated from the purpose to which they were established.
“Yes, this is the true picture of rule of law. Democracy in action, the way and manner the so called LASTMA? witch hunt bus and car owners is appalling. If they dare me, I’ll do the same, ” he said.
Another motorist, Mrs. Anna? Kehinde,? who lauded the courage of the appellant who sought and got justice from the court? which also ordered LASTMA to pay damages worth N500, 000 , urged other motorists to be prepared to defend their rights at any given time.
It would be recalled that the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, had declared that sections 9, 11, 12 and 13 of the law establishing LASTMA was unconstitutional and of no effect following a suit filed by one Mr. Jonathan Odutola.
Justice Abang further held that while LASTMA has the power to arrest traffic offenders, it does not have the powers to impose fine on them and added that instead, it is a court of law that has the power to impose a fine on anybody who contravenes the law.
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