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Lagos State new revenue generation drive. Read this if you don’t want to be a victim.
I’d like to bring to our attention the new law on vehicle parking in Lagos State which was recently implemented (I believe) by the Lagos State Government and enforced by Lastma. Vehicles parked by the side or on the curbs of some major roads now have their vehicle number plates removed. The owner of the vehicle is then arraigned before a mobile court in absentia and fined.
During the visit of the Chief Security Officer of my establishment to the mobile court last week, he witnessed many motorists who were sentenced to 2 weeks of community service at the Gbagada General Hospital or a payment of a fine of N15,000.00 or both. Both processes of appearance in court and payment of the fine at Skye Bank, Alausa branch are tedious.
Please let’s avoid the embarrassments this could cause and stay on the right side of the law.
Credit: Sis Agba.
THIS IS A NARRATION FROM A VICTIM
I had a very terrible experience yesterday morning on my way to work and I want people to learn from it. At about 10 am, I parked in front of a bank to use the ATM, I had barely come down from the car when I saw somebody videoing the cars parked in front of the bank. By the time I opened my car, I saw a fleet of Lagos state branded vehicles and so many people came down and started removing the plate number of cars including mine.
I came down from the car and forcefully tried stopping them from removing my plate number, explaining to them that I just came to use the ATM, then one of the police officers said to me “madam it’s beyond us o, the Chief Judge is in that bus”. I then went to the chauffeur driven beautiful bus in the fleet where I was told by the police escort to go and talk to the team on the road. The vehicles’ plate numbers were removed, including mine and they put a paper in front of my car to come to Alausa.
Before going to Alausa, I went in to see them in the bank and I asked them, is this how you allow your customers to be maltreated ? They responded and I quote “they don’t even know how to go about this Lagos revenue drive”. On getting to Alausa, we were asked to wait, that the Chief Judge to sit at the mobile court is still on the road and they had an overflown office filled with people .
To cut my long story short, they already opened a case file for each of their so called offenders and they advised me to plead guilty before the magistrate otherwise the case will be adjourned till further notice “can you imagine that”? Eventually, I was charged guilty with a fine of N15k or an option of one week community work and some had N20k or N25k fine as the case maybe with an option of one month imprisonment etc.
A lady said she was inside Tantalizer in Ogba when her plate number was removed and both the prosecutor and the defender’s lawyers were provided by the State Government. Can you beat that? All they were saying was “Lagos state needs to generate more revenue”. My questions are: Must our dear State generate its revenue at the expense of its citizens? Where are we then supposed to park when visiting banks, eateries and shops? As we are meant to believe that most of the available spaces in front of the banks and other buildings are Government setbacks. These questions and more need answers.
Forewarned is forearmed as they were also spotted on Ajose Adeogun in Victoria Island this week. Nigeria is really waking up fast.
Joe
July 26, 2016 at 16:57
This is good info… THanks
AutoJosh
July 27, 2016 at 12:11
Thanks for reading.
Muhammed aliu
April 8, 2017 at 10:47
What about the DANFO driver did the law affect them
Dayo
July 27, 2016 at 09:30
Thanks for this. Seen them at Allen a few times too
AutoJosh
July 27, 2016 at 12:11
Thanks for reading.
tawakalt olabisi
July 27, 2016 at 15:51
What an expensive update !!
tawakalt olabisi
July 27, 2016 at 16:18
This’s an expensive update, thanks.
AutoJosh
July 27, 2016 at 20:27
Thanks.
Joseph
July 27, 2016 at 20:20
It’s cool but the penalty is not commensurate to the crime. I know they are trying to emulate city like London but there are provided places one can park. Lagos state is not as rich as London therefore the penalty shouldn’t be equated.
AutoJosh
July 27, 2016 at 20:30
Yea. but Lagos will still become better than London by God’s grace
Lionheart
September 6, 2016 at 09:58
Amen
Titi
September 6, 2016 at 12:31
…until then,should they now squeeze us,the poor masses dry all in the name of IGR?I hope they just know what they are doing.When you push a sheep,not a goat now,a sheep,you push it,when it reaches the point of no return,it turns back to fight for it self!Yes,even a sheep.I wonder where the LSG want people to park their cars,in the air or to take them inside their pockets?It is well ó!
kofi Mbadiwe
September 8, 2016 at 18:31
God did not create London or Lagos the way they are, people did. God helps those who helps themselves. Draconian punishment will not improve Lagos problems unless corruption stops.
Apinke
April 10, 2017 at 09:50
Amen
Lanre
July 28, 2016 at 16:15
Why not first make sure banks and eateries have parking for at least 20 cars before approving their building plans, banks are rich enough to provide more parking why made the citizenry suffer
AutoJosh
July 28, 2016 at 21:03
I concur. Nice
Christopher
July 28, 2016 at 21:16
Thanks for the info, but too ridiculous to witness.
AutoJosh
July 28, 2016 at 21:20
Yea. Very ridiculous.
Na una sabi
July 29, 2016 at 04:04
Let me get this straight .. Are you saying those parking in front of Banks are not parking space ?? I guess its high time we all start using UBER drivers . Then we can see how these Morons will have a Job or Steal from the Poor Masses . This is Terrorism .
AutoJosh
July 29, 2016 at 10:10
True talk @ Uber.
Communicator
August 5, 2016 at 00:42
The law is not being enforced by Lastma but by the Task Force authorised by law to keep our streets sane. The primary aim of the law is not to generate revenue but to discourage illegal parking, which is why community service is usually preferred to fines. Erring vehicles are recorded on video which is later played to the owners of the vehicles to show how they have erred. Incontrovertible evidence, after a sticker would have been placed on the vehicle to state the offence and invite the owner to Alausa. It is not true that owners are tried in absentia. LASG even gives free legal service to erribg drivers who can’t hire lawyers through the Office of Public Defender. The same people who won’t dare park on yellow lines in London now find it difficult not to obstruct traffic on Lagos streets. If you do not park illegally, you certainly won’t have your number plates removed. Video evidence doesn’t lie. Let’s learn to obey our laws.
AutoJosh
August 5, 2016 at 06:59
Well written. Nigeria is getting better daily. Bravo.
Dotun osinsanya
September 22, 2016 at 16:00
Exactly right. Great response Autojosh. Ellis done.
Barr Joe
August 5, 2016 at 17:58
Because you’re an official who’s benefiting from this heinous robbery does not mean you shouldn’t be objective in your explanation of the modalities of what should be done.
I’m a lawyer and laws are made to better society not make victims of the citizenry.
Let’s also get more civilised in our approach as we adapt to the scenario of more civilised cities.
Thank you.
Barr Joe
Barr Joe
August 5, 2016 at 18:04
Because you’re an official who’s benefiting from this heinous robbery does not mean you shouldn’t be objective in your explanation of the modalities of what should be done.
I’m a lawyer and laws are made to better society not make victims of the citizenry who voted in these politicians… Citizens who will be wooed with promises of putting ACs on the streets for their votes at the next election. Weldon o … We are watching you and waiting!
Let’s also get more civilised in our approach as we adapt to the scenario of more civilised cities.
Thank you.
Barr Joe
kofi Mbadiwe
September 8, 2016 at 19:07
Reality will soon set in and everybody will find out that this is yet another Avenue to enrich another set of crooks. In London planning of the city included parking for drivers coming into London.
If the proceeds from this draconian charges will be used to create infrastructure and there is proper accounting for the loots on drivers maybe the move is justified. Lagos State govt must first provide the infrastructure and those who in violations can then be punished.
abc
September 10, 2016 at 00:28
Fools die
Right Back at you
September 10, 2016 at 11:16
Why does the law give you goons the right to remove plate numbers of cars? Keep pushing people until the react and set Lagos ablaze
Bigafo
September 14, 2016 at 13:37
Please can someone confirm; do they remove the entire car registration number plates; whereby the driver has to drive the vehicle on the road without any identication number being displayed at any point in time?
What a serious risk?
dedevi
September 13, 2016 at 18:31
No body removes plate numbers in London. You also need to provide parking spaces for citizens and disabled parking in front of all public buildings and banks, mark your bouble yellow lines and red routes before your actions can de justified. You are to make life better for the citizenry, not make life hell.
dedevi
September 13, 2016 at 18:39
In the UK and civilized world, areas where you are not expected to park are clearly marked with double yellow or red lines and people are educated about this. Here in Nigeria, these areas are subject to the whims and caprices of government officials of that day and how grumpy they are when they get out of bed. Please provide the necessary infrastructure and warnings before pouncing on the very citizens who voted you in.
qasou
September 17, 2016 at 07:10
How many times has the Govt officials broken this same nonsense LAW of yours. Even worse to extent of taking one way road and yet they let GO. You think we are fools.
Is this the next thing to do to a confused sheep led by a confused govt in a confused state?
I guess the danfo drivers will have flooded alausa by now; Cuz they commit worse traffic offense.
We are trying to recover from a drowing ship(recession) all you have to do is to rip us. CHANGE IN DEED!
Francis
September 24, 2016 at 11:21
Can Lagos clearly educate the public where or where not to park as the story above indicate that one if the victims parked in front of bank to make a transaction.
Or better still in a way of increasing IGR for the state, government can also designate spaces along major busy roads for park and pay
fatelyn
September 27, 2016 at 21:40
Are u also aware that u don’t get a parking space when u go to such places? Why can’t we be real for christ sake? Nigerians are no idiots! Create an alternative, only then can you accuse one of illegal parking!
jide
January 29, 2017 at 00:04
This is rubbish and not a sane policy. It is criminalizing citizens to squeeze money from them. The courts are already biased and there is no room for fairness and justice. Any thing goes in Nigeria.
Abiola
August 6, 2016 at 14:22
I think citizens should be given alternative parking arrangement in places like banks, eateries and so on before they implement such law.
Communicator
August 6, 2016 at 15:03
@Barrister Joe, what part of my post did you not get if indeed you are a lawyer? It is the job if lawyers to seek redress in court after advising clients about the consequences of breaking the law. Are you aware that in Thailand, the government there bis now considering sending repeated offenders of drunk driving to serve out their terms in a morgue just to see where their victims end up? Would people like you be comfirtabke with such measure in Lagos? How more civilised do you expect enforcement to be after providing a video evidence if infractions without towing the vehicle or arresting offenders? Let’s be reasonable and please don’t stay on the wrong side of the law because there are consequences for violations as you have all over the world
Babatunde
August 15, 2016 at 14:44
So much example in London, in Taiwan, in America. What is the government doing, like those countries to make life good and easy for her citizen like all those countries you are so easily quoting. What is it that the government is doing to better the condition of the people? Is the government awear of tons of social services these governments, you always easily quote, gives to their people?. Stop make life difficult because you want lagos to be London overnight. Individuals lives is already hell on earth without any help and support, whatsoever from thsee rulers. Always provide alternatives before you penalise. Have you filled all the pot holes and make all road motorable?
Jeff
September 5, 2016 at 11:54
Let the government emulate the good things that directly affects it’s citizens so we can live in a conducive and productive environments . The only thing they copy abroad is how to make strict laws without alternatives to generate money into their pocket ..please look at our roads before comparing the ways people should act in Nigeria and the way people act abroad . Abroad they have parking areas. Let the government create alternative measures before new laws are made . It’s simple .
goodguy
April 8, 2017 at 08:32
Mr. Oga
No one in his or her right senses would want break any law no matter how small. What we are saying is, create alternative and also place indicators and warning sign in a very conspicuous manner then you can enforce this your so called law. If not your so called system is just another avenue to defraud the innocent citizens of Lagos state
Hammed Oshodi
September 7, 2016 at 09:10
Dear Communicator, in as much as laws are made to be enforced, it also recognises the first offender. Let’s face it, there is no law that is passed in Nigeria and left in the hands of uniformed political opportunists that will not be subjected to the Nigerian factors. Apart from non sensitisation and adequate awareness, some of these enforcers instead given warning signs hide themselves to look for prey for their own selfish ends. The fear of forms of uniform men in Nigeria is the beginning of wisdom
Moses
September 7, 2016 at 10:15
Moses, it is a pity that government of the people by the people is now imprisoning the people without any attempt to better their living conditions. All that our own Government knows how to do better is to formulate policies that we inflict pain and hardship on her citizens. All our own Government knows how to do best is to make laws that will compound the state of living of her citizens instead of policies that we bring succour to the masses.
Those who are benefitting from the cursed money of the poor masses who are struggling to survive and who are been arrested on offenses they can be corrected on or on unviable untenable and unfounded offences should note that, they may own today together with their God father and leaders. They don’t own tomorrow. There will no much publicity of Government’s law or plan. But they will hide under Capet laws to arrest and intimidate the poor masses.
God is watching. Everyday may be for the thieve but a day will come for the owners. Every government that cannot better the lots of her citizens deserve not to be elected. Lagos is working is the slogan they are shouting. Whle the so call workings is reducing the lots of the helpless and poor and is enriching the rich and power drunk people. The future will tell. We shall all be alive to see it. Blessed day.
Danol
September 9, 2016 at 08:29
What a law! IGR shit without alternative means of parking. Make any stupid idiot come video me, I’ll beat d hell out of them all.
abc
September 10, 2016 at 00:43
No be only u my brother. They forget that the anger level in the nation’s citizenry is on the alarming level. All these laws will change when they jam a frustrated person because before he goes down many will go down with him. Those videoring, removing plate numbers, hiding in corners looking for preys and their evil vehicles hiding their charge and bail lawyers. All will go down in one day. And it is coming… It will happen.
Mr. Joe
September 10, 2016 at 09:12
Who is this fraud that calls himself /herself the communicator? When you people site places as examples to back up your obvious frauds, it just makes me laugh! Do you goons think you are the only (un)informed people? Some of us too have ACTUALLY been opportune to travel to these fore mentioned countries and we are not blind to the fact that structures are on ground for their citizenry. You site London like we don’t see public parking lots in communities whereas in the case of Lagos, every available open space which should be marked out for such and other recreational purposes, have been turned to market stalls to serve the pockets of greedy government officials.
In your lack of foresight, you claim building setbacks for your poorly executed road project and then turn around to claim right of way after depriving building owners of their parking spaces. Your only advantage is that most Nigerians, don’t know their rights and how to seek legal redress. You hide under your corrupt legal processes to subvert justice, this was the same way the government goofed during Fashola’s tenure, concerning the lastma third mainland bridge towing case. Just so you know, some of us at not fools and wont be cowed by your dubious video cameras. Some of us have our lawyers on speed dial because we know what it means to dine with the devil !
unapologetical
September 22, 2016 at 19:08
You ve said it all.
Aroloye
September 16, 2016 at 13:24
I have nothing to say but to wait till 2019. I would personally lead a campaign against APC and it’s cabals. They think they own Lagos state and now Aso Rock! Smh! They are merely tenants occupying the house for now. So I should park my car and use the brt bus abi? A company run by a tinubu family? Come to think of it, what exactly has this government did for us the common man? Have they paid the 5k promised to unemployed youths? Jobs in places like CBN and co are reserved for their families? Is this the change we voted for? I weep for Nigeria
seeker
September 16, 2016 at 17:49
Pple claim they ve travelled out of the country, n dey talk like as if dey understand hw dere system works, if all infrastructures were provided by dere Government do u tink u will go dere to enjoy it, wat ve u contributed here…
Salihu Ahmed
September 21, 2016 at 11:15
Very soon criminals will take advantage making difficult to know whom you are dealing with. But Lagos state must discreet with the so called craze for revenue. If signs are not provided why subject citizens to such abuse.
JIMMY
September 22, 2016 at 17:30
This is a welcome idea but Lagos state govt should take it easy with her citizen…..this recession period is enough to battle with not to talk of another way of exploiting people. EKO ONI BAJE OOOO!!!
Ladipo
September 25, 2016 at 16:32
Vote them out in 2019. Nigerians are no fools. We are waiting for you.
Engr. Dr. Afolalu.
September 26, 2016 at 09:28
All have spoken well but the fact is the remain that some people can’t obey simple instruction because of their impatience. Law has to still take its place but always try to do the right thing because Lagos must move forward and we should be agent of change. Engr. Dr. Afolalu
Engr. Dr. Afolalu.
September 26, 2016 at 09:30
All have spoken well but the fact is still remain that some people can’t obey simple instruction because of their impatience. Law has to still take its place but always try to do the right thing because Lagos must move forward and we should be agent of change. Engr. Dr. Afolalu
Toun
October 6, 2016 at 10:19
We are not saying there should be no laws,but government should provide infrastructures,give us places to pack,even if we will have to pay,but charging us to court when there are no particular packing spaces provided is wrong.If all these are provided and yet people refused to use them and pack illegally,then such should face the wrought of government.A lot of Nigerian will obey the Law if things are well stated and well planned
Ehineni Kehinde
December 20, 2016 at 16:58
Its is better never to experience such thing. This means the person will get a criminal record atleast. This is serious
AutoJosh
December 20, 2016 at 17:30
I agree with you. Better to never experience such.
Dr. Jimmy Etti-Williams
April 10, 2017 at 18:20
The question that needs to be asked is “Are there any warning signs posted nearby to alert motorists of potential possible violations in the subject area before the violation ticket was imposed and car plate number was taken away? Also, it is a direct violation of Federal Safety law for any one government or individual to remove a licensed plate of any vehicle unless such vehicle has been salvaged. A lot of illegality are condone in the name of law enforcement. Review the Federal Safety Rule before enforcing removal of vehicles plates. The people are the government, and the government is the people. Take care of your citizens, please.
Olanrewaju
July 29, 2017 at 07:28
Those Lastma are doing some dirty, curse nob in Lagos. In the past few days, I’ve lost about #12,000 to them charging you for unreasonable offences and before you know it, they bump into your car while another one on the side drag the steering with you.
On Friday morning, I was stopped for check up that is along Lekki, I obeyed bcoz I knew I have all the documents updated except for the vehicle license that just expired by 15th July without me knowing that was about 5 days ago. They troubled me for that until they collected money from me.
The state govt. and their boss need to caution there people.
Ade
August 6, 2017 at 23:37
I think this government is going … and … did they provide alternatives parking space or if they do not want everyone to drive their cars have they provide us with a better community transport.