Appeal Court reverses ban of motorcycles in Edo

The Benin Division of the Court of Appeal has reversed the ban on the use of motorcycles, otherwise called Okada, in five local government areas of Edo State.

Former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, had in 2013 issued a verbal order, banning the use of motorcycles in Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba Okha local government areas, Oluku and Ekosodin areas of Ovia North East, and Eyaen area of Uhunmwonde local government area.

But the appellate court in its judgement held that declared that the former governor’s verbal ban of the use of motorcycles was unconstitutional, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

The lead judgment delivered by Justice Georgewill Biobele said “an order is issued forthwith setting aside the governor’s verbal ban on the use of motorcycles.

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The court awarded “the sum of N301,000 as compensation and cost in favour of the appellants against the Governor of Edo State”.

The appellants, through their counsel, Dele Igbinedion had filed a suit before the Federal High Court, Benin City, challenging the power of the Edo State Governor to ban the use of motorcycles through a verbal order, but was dismissed by the court.

The appellants, who were not satisfied with the action of the lower court, filed an appeal against it, praying the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgement.