The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority has begun a mobile court enforcement exercise as part of its renewed efforts to restore order, protect public spaces and ensure compliance with laws regulating trading and other activities in public places across the state.
A statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday, revealed that several offenders had been arraigned in the enforcement operation at Bodija Market, Ibadan.
He said, “The Authority’s sustained enforcement operations led to the arraignment of several persons accused of displaying and selling goods on roads, pedestrian walkways, drainage channels and other unauthorised public spaces.
“The mobile court, presided over by Her Worship, Magistrate Olaniyan Folake Rachael, is considering cases brought before it.
“Some of the defendants were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, with an option of ₦30,000 fine, while others were granted bail in the sum of ₦200,000, with one surety each. The sureties were required to provide traceable addresses and valid means of identification. Cases involving defendants granted bail were adjourned to September 11, 2026, for hearing.”
The enforcement exercise followed sustained sensitisation campaigns and previous enforcement operations by OYRLEA, aimed at discouraging illegal trading and other activities on roads, walkways and drainage channels.
Speaking at the scene on behalf of the OYRLEA Chairperson, Hon. Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd.), the Chief of Staff to the Chairperson, Kofoworola Akinbode, Esq., said the deployment of the mobile court was necessary to restore sanity to market environments and reinforce the Authority’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
"The exercise was a further demonstration of the government’s resolve to complement sensitisation with appropriate enforcement measures where violations persist,” she said, adding that, “residents and traders are expected to comply with existing laws and regulations governing the use of public spaces.”
The Chief of Staff reaffirmed OYRLEA’s commitment to protecting public spaces and promoting a safe, orderly and conducive environment for residents, traders, pedestrians and motorists.
Additionally, some market users expressed support for the enforcement exercise, noting that the indiscriminate display of goods on roads and walkways had continued to obstruct the free movement of pedestrians and motorists, while also creating safety concerns and increasing the risk of avoidable accidents.
The Authority reiterated that it would continue to combine public sensitisation, enforcement and, where necessary, judicial action to promote a safer, cleaner and more orderly environment for all residents.
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