The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos state,Mr. Ade Ipaye, has vowed that Lagos State Government will prosecute all persons allegedly involved in the vandalization of some of its property during the October 24, 2012 protest by commercial motorcycle operators.
Ipaye said this in his office on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.
He said he could not comprehend why some commercial motorcycle operators will destroy BRT buses and other government assets while protesting their restriction from 475 roads in the state.
He said "I cannot tell you the number. I just got reports that arrests were made, some have already been taken to court.
"But I can assure you that we are determined to ensure that those people face proper legal procedure that should follow such a very, very criminal vandalism of public assets."
Responding to the allegations that some policemen and other law enforcement agents arresting commercial motorcyclists who were plying side streets,he said, law enforcement agents were working with a list compiled by the Lagos State Government indicating the prohibited areas.
"The issue whether you are where you should be or not, must be determined by reference to the list.
"And when you are in doubt, you should consult that list. It has been variously publicised, printed by the ministry of information.
"When you are in doubt and you are an operator, infact, I expect all the unions in that industry to have that list and to circulate it among their members,"he added.
The Attorney General noted that restriction of their operation is only on 475 roads out of over 9,000 roads in Lagos State, adding that there were other available employment opportunities in the state.
"There are various job opportunities out there already existing or being created. Government is spending billions on infrastructure development, people are engaged there.
"So, to say that you must keep what is not desirable or has been determined to be not desirable for us, just to keep some people in employment, I think it's
a logic I cannot understand".
"If we all don't respect the laws and we do whatever we can in the name of trying to feed our families, if we take it that for survival you can do anything, then we will not have a civilised society," he added.
Ipaye concluded that the suit against the government over the restriction was already being heard by a court of competent jurisdiction which will soon deliver its judgement
