A civil society organization, Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), has called for the disbandment of Kogi State Transport Management Authority (KOTRAMA).
This call is coming on the heels of a court judgement declaring activities of KOTRAMA as illegal.
A statement issued by the executive director of CHRCR, Comrade Idris Miliki Abdul, in Lokoja on Friday, said “a legally constituted agency or institution cannot be seen or allowed to be perpetrating illegality.”
“It will be recalled, that the Kogi House of Assembly on the 5th September 2022, organised a public hearing through its Ad-hoc Committee to probe alleged illegal activities of the Kogi State Transport Management Authority (KOTRAMA) due to complaints of human rights abuse and passive illegal activities.
“The question was that and still, is KOTRAMA a revenue agency as being seen on the streets through it activities or are they law enforcement agency? It must also be noted that the law that established KOTRAMA was passed by Kogi State House of Assembly.
“However, any law passed that is inconsistent with the provision of the constitution, to the extent of its inconsistency, cannot stand.
“Aside the ruling of the Kogi State High Court on the 30th of March, 2023, which declared that the activities of KOTRAMA is illegal, according to the ruling of Justice Clement Kekere of High Court 10, which made the order as a result of a matter instituted by one Barrister Martin Atojoko, there had always been complains against the activities of KOTRAMA in Lokoja as a result of their excesses at different times.
“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 said.
CHRCR executive director commended the Judiciary for coming to rescue the citizens, from the hands and the illegality of KOTRAMA.
He called 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.
He called on Governor Yahaya Bello to scrap KOTRAMA and merge it with vehicle inspection office (VIO).
He added that if KOTRAMA continues their Illegal activities as declared by the High Court, it officials and management should be charged with contempt of court.
