BENUE STATE HIGH COURT SETS ASIDE BAN ON USE OF MOTORCYCLES IN UKUM AND KATSINA-ALA LGAs AND DECLARES THE BAN UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
The Benue State High Court of Justice, holden at Gboko on 7th July, 2021, nullified the ban on the use of motorcycles in Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State, declared the ban as illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void and further restrained the Respondents comprising the Governor of Benue State and other security operatives from further impounding motorcycles in those areas.
The learned Judge of the High Court found and held that without a law made by the Benue State House of Assembly authorising the said action by the Government of Benue State and security operatives, it was unlawful and unconstitutional for the Government to ban the citizens from using motorcycles in those parts.
It would be recalled that sometime on the 05/01/2021 my humble self had dragged the Governor of Benue State, the Attorney- General and other security operatives to court for imposing a ban on the use of motorcycles in (then only)Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs without first putting in place a law to authorize them in that behalf.
Most sadly, following the illegal and unconstitutional act aforesaid, security operatives, on the nod and assent of the Benue State Government, went beserk on the frolick of arbitrarily impounding all motorcycles and randomly arresting citizens who flouted the ban, burning some motorcycles in the process.
With the decision handed down today and upon service of same on the appropriate authorities it is expected the Government as a law-abiding institution would lift the ban forthwith.
Meanwhile, I’m heavily indebted to all who by assent or dissent assisted in the pursuit of Justice in this matter, most especially my most revered learned senior, Amaatimin Tertsegha Timothy. Sir, the recent authority you graciously commended to me made my Lord’s “hands tied” to do the needful. I’m grateful.
BEM A GBA.
IBOM VOICE MEDIA 