Lokoja – A non-governmental organisation,
Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) has urged the Kogi State government to immediately scrap KOTRAMA in line with the recent judgment of a high court .
The Executive Secretary of the Lokoja-based CHRCR, Idris Miliki Abdul who made the call in a statement said government in the alternative can merge KOTRAMA with the state VIO.
A Kogi High Court had on Thursday March 30 declared the activities of the Kogi Transport Management Authority (KOTRAMA), as illegal.
Justice Clement Kekere of High Court 10 made the declaration while delivering judgment in a case instituted against the agency by an Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Martin Atojoko.
Miliki said KOTRAMA should discontinue its Illegal activities as declared by the Court, to avoid being charged with contempt.
“We call on the Kogi State Government to respect this High Court order on KOTRAMA, as a law abiding and democratic government, who must respect the rule of Law,” the CHRCR boss said.
Aside the court judgment, Miliki said there had always been complained against the activities of KOTRAMA in Lokoja as a result of the excesses and high-handedness of its officials.
He recalled that the state assembly had in September 5, 2022 held a public hearing on the activities of KOTRAMA but said that a “legally constituted agency or institution cannot be seen or allow to be perpetrating illegality.
“It has always been our opinion that, the Law and activities of KOTRAMA violate the fundamental rights of the citizens they are created to protect.”
He appreciated the Judiciary for coming to the rescue of the citizens through its judgment.
The court had in its judgment faulted the law establishing KOTROMA.
“By the evidence before the court, I hereby order that the Law establishing the agency be set aside forthwith.
“This is because the law made by the state house of assembly contravenes the Provisions of the Federal Road Safety Commission Act 2007.
“In all, the laws establishing KOTRAMA is inhuman, and is established to cause hardship on motorists,” the judge held.(vitalnewsngr.com)
