There is no love lost for the Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration on social media, following the auction of cars seized over traffic violations by the Lagos state government.
The Quest Times had earlier reported the LASG’s decision to auction 134 vehicles tagged as “forfeited” following their arrests over violating traffic rules.
Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said he hoped the auction exercise would serve as a deterrent to other road users who are fond of driving against traffic, and warned that the long arm of the law would soon catch up with them.
Following up its decision, the LASG on Thursday, September 15, 2022, auctioned the 134 vehicles to the dismay of aggrieved owners who with tears and pleas begged for mercy, as the cars were being sold for a fraction of their costs.
Pictures and videos of wailing owners flooded social media, prompting a quick backlash against the state government’s decision.
Some questioned why the cars had to be auctioned for a mere traffic offence, describing the punishment as draconian, while others questioned the legality of the auction.
In defence of the action, an aide to Gov Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat revealed that the process was legal and transparent, as the forfeiture order was obtained from a Court.
“The Court gave the forfeiture order, Offenders are given Fair Hearing, The Auction Process is monitored by the Ministry of Justice together with the Ministry of Transportation. Offender Car owners also get a compassionate privilege from the Auction Process, A Transparent process,” Gawat wrote.
Here are some reactions gathered by The Quest Times:
@Naija_PR 49-year-old widow, Dorothy Dike and her son, Osinachi Ndukwe wept profusely as their vehicle which they acquired for N1.8.million on hire purchase, was being auctioned for N450,000.
@DrJoeAbah Isn’t auctioning the cars of traffic offenders ‘Cruel and Unusual Punishment’ under our laws? Why didn’t they just fine them? Has anyone gone to court to challenge the law that enables this to happen? Dear @SERAPNigeria, any interest?
@saratu LASG knows that LASTMA and police collude to send people down one-way roads then “catch” you on the other side to extort you for breaking traffic rules. They know, the same way police knows that most of their officers are murderous and corrupt. And yet they give them this power?
@Olumuyiwa_ Surprised a court hasn’t deemed this illegal because it clearly is. Beyond the illegality, it’s also senseless. Why should you impound and then auction people’s cars because of traffic offences where no loss or life was involved?
@I_Am_Illemona We are really going to say auctioning of vehicles for traffic offences is okay in a Lagos State where LASTMA & the police conspire to misdirect people or accuse them falsely of traffic offences? In a state where there are some roads with no signs indicating it is one way?
@iSlimfit Lagos drivers can be very unruly, no lies. But there’s no justification for auctioning people’s vehicles cos of traffic offence. That’s too extreme a law. A fine in exchange for the vehicle should suffice. Nobody will auction your car for violating traffic rules in the UK sha.
@adetolaa_a The funny thing about this traffic law that allows the state to auction people’s vehicles is that you won’t see them auctioning danfo buses. Half of the traffic violations in Lagos state are enabled by the efficiency of the state govt
@iykimo Lagos state govt auctions vehicles of traffic offenders LASG has Distinction in revenue generation and penalizing Lagosians… Some major roads in Lagos are flooded everywhere day it pours yet action. Ikeja GRA is riddled with potholes