A legal practitioner, Mr Iwowo Anthony, has dragged the Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State before an Ikeja High Court for impounding one of his cars over an alleged traffic offence.

The suit was brought pursuant to Sections 34, 36, 41 and 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, with the Executive Chairman of the Oshodi/Isolo LGA joined in the suit as a co-respondent.

Anthony alleged that his unregistered vehicle which was driven by his mechanic on April 9, 2021 was impounded by taskforce officials of the local government who claimed his mechanic had contravened a traffic offence by driving without a driving license.

According to Anthony, despite his appeal to the taskforce officials to either file charges against the mechanic or release his car since they do not have the legal right to impound any car for a traffic offence, the officials forced the car into their office and deflated the tires.

The lawyer stated that he was compelled to pay a fine of N25,000 for the release of his car but was only issued an official receipt of N10,000.

“When I demanded an explanation on the amount indicated on the receipt issued by the officials of the respondents, it was said that the remainder was for gate pass,” he said.

Anthony, in his motion on notice, sought a declaration that the respondents lack the constitutional power to impound vehicles and inflict traffic-related penalties; a declaration that impounding his vehicle amounted to a breach of his fundamental rights; an order directing the respondents to refund the N25,000 extorted from him; and an injunction restraining the respondents from imposing fines, impounding vehicles, and arresting him and other road users for traffic offences.

He also sought an injunction compelling the respondents to pay him N10m as damages for the breach of his fundamental rights, for extortion, and for impounding his vehicle as well as the sum of N5m for the psychological trauma the ordeal caused him.

The matter, which is before Justice D.T. Olatokun, has been slated for September 20, 2021.