A Kano Court sitting in Bompai has ordered the KAROTA Commission to pay three persons N500,000 each after arresting them on suspicion of carrying passengers on their motorcycles.
Judge Nasiru Saminu ruled that carrying a person on a motorcycle was not illegal under the law, so long as it was not meant for commercial purpose.
It has been 18 months since some motorcycle rider in Kano sued KAROTA in Court, alleging that they were arrested for taking their families on their motorcycles.
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After a lengthy trial, the judge ruled that, KAROTA had committed the crime by arresting those who carry another persons on their motorcycled and ordered it to pay them damages.
The court ordered the first three to pay N500,000 each for illegal seizures, and another N100,000 for wasting them time.
The remaining six people were acquitted by the court.
Barrister Abdulkareem Kabir Maude’s lawyer said the court had ruled that anyone could carry another person and ride a motorcycle so long as its not for commercial.
“The arrests and the money taken from them are against the law and the constitution of this country,” he said.
“The court ordered them to get their money back, the first three people to be paid N500,000 each and an additional N100,000.
One of the winners in the court, Bello Basi Fagge, said they were happy with the court’s decision.
He says this is an indication to all security forces that the law applies to everyone.
