By Abdulwahab Abdulah  & Sunday Akano
Ahead of the plan by the state government to streamline the operations of bike riders (Okada) in Lagos State, the Trustees and members of the state executive council of the Three-Wheelers Beneficiaries/Operators Association, Lagos branch, has prayed a Federal High Court sitting in Ikeja to stop the state government from stopping its operation in the state.

Smarting from an indication that the government was planning to restrict the operations of the Three-Wheelers, known as Keke Marwa, from plying expressways, the riders were asking the court to determine that having been registered with its trustees under Section 678 and 679 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, it can not be subjected to the wishes and desires of the 2nd and 3rd respondent to conduct its internal affairs.

Other respondents

Joined as respondents in the originating summons were the  state Ministry of Transport, its Commissioner, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, incorporated trustees of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State chapter, incorporated trustees of Keke Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, KORAN, and Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

Their action were brought pursuant to Sections 6(6), 251(1) of the Constitution  and also Section 673(2), 679,680, 681,683 and 691 of Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and Order 3 rules 6 and 7 of the Federal High Court, civil procedure rules 2009.

Plaintiffs

Plaintiffs in the suit were Chief Tunji Oyeniyi, Mr. Moses Buhari and Mr. Dauda Ganiyu, for themselves as trustees and members of the state executive council respectively, incorporated trustees of  Three-Wheelers Beneficiaries/Operators Association, Lagos State and Incorporated Trustees of African Poverty and Hunger Relief Initiative.

The are also asking court to determine whether or not, considering the provision of Section 681 and 683 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, the Lagos State government has power  and authority and can through 2nd to 7th respondent (Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation), Special Adviser to State Governor on Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa  to dissolve the applicants association.