Lagos State Government, Southwest Nigeria has filed an appeal against the High Court judgment prohibiting towing of vehicles and imposition of fines by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) without a valid court order.
Gatekeepers News reports that on September 23, Olalekan Oresanya, Judge of an Ikeja High Court, delivered judgment in a suit instituted by one Lawal Aliyu whose vehicle was impounded in November 2021 by LASTMA officials, holding that the Lagos State Traffic Management Law doesn’t permit the agency to deprive citizens of their right to freedom of movement.
The Judge condemned LASTMA for the practice of forcefully towing vehicles of alleged traffic offenders who do not resist arrest, saying it is the height of oppression.
He also said that the applicant ought to have been arraigned before a competent court before he can be penalised for any traffic offence.
The judge also ordered LASTMA to pay back the N20,000 fine and another N10,000 towing fine to the applicant.
Also, the sum of N750,000 compensatory damages was awarded against the respondents for the violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights.
Hameed Oyenuga, Director of Civil Litigation, Lagos Ministry of Justice, in a signed statement, said it had decided to appeal the judgement.
“The State Government reviewed the judgment and dissatisfied with same, has exercised its constitutional right of appeal by filing a Notice of Appeal on the 30th day of September, 2022,” the statement reads.
“An application for a Stay of Execution of the judgment has also been filed.”
“Consequently, members of the public are therefore advised to be law abiding and ensure compliance with all relevant Laws of the State.”
