Metro

“Why didn’t they just fine them” – Reactions as Lagos auction cars owned by traffic offenders

Published

2 years ago

2022/09/16

Lagos State Government on Thursday, auctioned over 40 vehicles impounded for various traffic offences.

The exercise was carried out at the headquarters of Lagos State Taskforce and Special Offences Unit, Bolade Oshodi, Oshodi-Isolo Local Goverment Area

Residents thronged the venue to bid for various types of vehicles including cars, buses, Sport Utility Vehicles, SUV, among others.

According to the Chairman of the agency. Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Sola Jejeloye, through the Public Affairs Officer, PAO, Mr Raheem Ggbadeyanka, the vehicles were impounded by the state’s task force for flouting traffic rules and regulations, particularly, for driving against the flow of traffic.

The Magistrate Court Consequently, after trial, forteired the offenders vehicles to the government for auctioning.

The impounded cars were auctioned and given to the highest bidders. Here are some of the reactions online..

In Nigeria, laws are weak with the strong, and strong with the weak. The political elites are the major violators of traffic laws. They move around with their convoys and armed escorts. They have little respect for other road users. But vehicles of ‘common people’ are auctioned.
— Inibehe Effiong (@InibeheEffiong) September 16, 2022

The law that empowers auctioning of vehicles of traffic offenders in Lagos State is draconian. I agree that traffic violators, especially in a State like Lagos, should be punished. It is however extreme to go as far as auctioning vehicles. It is not the vehicle that drove itself.
— Inibehe Effiong (@InibeheEffiong) September 16, 2022

Man Breaks Down In Tears As Lagos Govt Auctions Car For ?370k

The Lagos State Government on Thursday auctioned cars which were seized.

In a trending video, a man was seen crying as the bidding crossed ?300,000 and was begging the bidders to stop bidding for the vehicle. pic.twitter.com/yxufjcNiPy
— Punch Newspapers (@MobilePunch) September 16, 2022

G.O needs to weigh in on the recent auction of cars of roads traffic offenders in Lagos. Straight off, the auction of cars for dangerous driving or route violation- two offences which constitute driving on what Nigerians describe as "driving on one way"- is draconian.
— Dr Great Oracle (@AbdulMahmud01) September 16, 2022

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? https://t.co/cLVMnLIfEE
— Dr Joe Abah (@DrJoeAbah) September 16, 2022

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.
— Slimfit (@iSlimfit) September 15, 2022

People supporting Lagos State on this traffic offences auction definitely don't have cars/drive. I don't know how they bypass fines and just take your car.

Yen Yen Yen, "the system must work"
What stupid system?
— S.A.O II (@aldmoni) September 15, 2022

This is one of the most heartless and tyrannical treatment of Nigerians by their own govt not white colonial masters. @followlasg this is not governance, this oppression of the poor. In civilized societies, you fine drivers for violations not auction their car. Evil govern Lagos https://t.co/QEQH8aX0Pa
— James Abraham (@JamesUAbraham) September 16, 2022