Illegal Tolls: Ogun cracks down on unapproved motorcycle associations
The Ogun State Government in Nigeria has launched a crackdown on unapproved motorcycle operators' associations that illegally collect revenues and levies from commercial motorcycle operators. The government stated that only three associations, ROMO, AMORAN, and ACCOMORAN, are officially recognized. It accused groups like ANACOWA and AKMODE Transport Limited of violating state regulations by collecting taxes and fees without authorization from the Ministry of Transportation or the Internal Revenue Service. The government emphasized that mere registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission does not grant permission to operate commercial motorcycle services or collect government revenues. It also clarified that a 2023 court ruling upholding the constitutional right to form associations did not authorize these groups to collect taxes or operate commercially. The state ordered the unauthorized groups to stop their activities immediately, warning of potential legal action.
Ogun State authorities have launched a crackdown on unapproved motorcycle operators' associations, ordering them to halt the illegal collection of revenues, levies, and other government-related charges from commercial motorcycle operators. The directive was issued by Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Dapo Abiodun, in a statement released on Sunday. According to the government, only three associations, ROMO, AMORAN, and ACCOMORAN, are officially recognized and permitted to operate on public roads and parks within the state. The action follows a legal clarification regarding the March 28, 2023, judgment by Justice Akinyemi, which some unapproved associations had previously cited to justify their operations. While the court upheld the constitutional right to form or join associations registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it did not grant permission for commercial motorcycle activities on public roads or authorize the collection of government revenues. The state government emphasized that this ruling did not override its existing policies on regulating and licensing commercial motorcycle operations. Among the groups targeted for immediate cessation of unauthorised activities are ANACOWA, AKMODE Transport Limited, and several other parallel associations. These groups are reportedly not licensed by the Ogun State Ministry of Transportation to conduct revenue-generating activities on public roads and parks. Furthermore, they are not authorized by the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) to collect personal income tax or any other government levies from their members. The government reiterated that merely registering an organization with the CAC does not automatically grant it the legal authority to engage in regulated commercial operations or collect taxes. It stressed that citizens possess a constitutional right to form associations, but this does not equate to an automatic license to carry out regulated commercial activities without the required approvals, permits, and licenses from the relevant authorities. The directive mandates that ANACOWA, AKMODE Transport Limited, and all other unapproved associations must cease collecting revenues and engaging in unauthorized activities in public spaces across the state. Continued defiance will be considered a violation of the state's regulatory framework and a challenge to constituted authority. The government assured that enforcement actions will be conducted professionally, peacefully, and strictly in accordance with the law. To ensure compliance, the Ministry of Information has been instructed to begin immediate public awareness campaigns explaining the directive. Simultaneously, security and enforcement agencies have been directed to implement the measures. Law enforcement bodies, including the police, are prepared to take all lawful steps against individuals or groups found violating the directive. These could include arrests, seizures of property, and prosecutions under applicable laws. Commercial motorcycle operators and the general public have been advised not to pay taxes, levies, subscriptions, or other government-related charges to any association or individual not officially sanctioned by the state government. The government has also emphasized that the enforcement of this directive will remain consistent with legal procedures and will not involve arbitrary or excessive measures.
The Ogun State Government in Nigeria has launched a crackdown on unapproved motorcycle operators' associations that illegally collect revenues and levies from commercial motorcycle operators. The government stated that only three associations, ROMO, AMORAN, and ACCOMORAN, are officially recognized. It accused groups like ANACOWA and AKMODE Transport Limited of violating state regulations by collecting taxes and fees without authorization from the Ministry of Transportation or the Internal Revenue Service. The government emphasized that mere registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission does not grant permission to operate commercial motorcycle services or collect government revenues. It also clarified that a 2023 court ruling upholding the constitutional right to form associations did not authorize these groups to collect taxes or operate commercially. The state ordered the unauthorized groups to stop their activities immediately, warning of potential legal action.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the government's position on regulating commercial motorcycle operations without overtly endorsing or criticizing specific political factions. While the issue involves regulatory enforcement, the tone remains neutral, focusing on legal compliance rather than ideological advocacy
Why factuality (95): The article provides detailed information about Ogun State's crackdown on unapproved motorcycle associations, naming specific organizations like ROMO, AMORAN, and ACCOMORAN as approved, and ANACOWA and AKMODE as unapproved. It accurately quotes the government's rationale, including the distinction b
Why objectivity (98): The article presents the situation in a neutral manner, reporting the government's actions and statements without apparent bias. It avoids emotional language and sticks to the official narrative, maintaining a balanced tone throughout.
The PunchIndependentCenterFactual 94Objective 978/30/2026
The Ogun State Government in Nigeria has launched a crackdown on unauthorized motorcycle operators' associations, demanding they cease collecting illegal fees and revenues from commercial motorcycle operators. Only three associations, ROMO, AMORAN, and ACCOMORAN, are recognized and allowed to operate within the state. The government warned that unapproved groups like ANACOWA and AKMODE Transport Limited are violating regulations, threatening public safety, and illegally collecting taxes that should go to the state. It emphasized that while forming associations is constitutionally protected, this does not automatically grant permission to conduct regulated commercial activities without proper licenses. The government also clarified that a recent court ruling supporting the rights of these groups does not override state policies on licensing and regulation.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the government's stance on regulating motorcycle associations without overtly favoring either side. It includes official statements and clarifies legal interpretations, maintaining neutrality in framing the issue.
Why factuality (94): This article aligns closely with the first, providing similar details about the crackdown on unapproved motorcycle associations in Ogun State. It names the same approved and unapproved associations and repeats the government's reasoning regarding CAC registration versus licensing. The slight reducti
Why objectivity (97): The article maintains a neutral tone, presenting the government's actions and statements objectively. There is no evident bias or emotional language, though the slightly truncated nature of the final sentence may hint at a lack of completeness, which slightly affects the perceived balance.
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