'Traffic offenders' Lagos Govt auctions over 130 vehicles impounded

Over a hundred and thirty abandoned and forfeited vehicles have been auctioned by the Lagos State government through its Ministry of Justice and the State Taskforce. The vehicles were confiscated over several traffic offences.

The open registration for the public auction had over a thousand entries.

Speaking with journalists at the event on Thursday in Ikeja, the Taskforce Chairman, Sola Jejeloye, explained that offenders should approach the office to inquire about the stance of their offences.
“My role as a police officer is to carry out enforcement exercises, one of which is confiscation of vehicles for traffic offences, and handing them over to the mobile court for judgement,” Mr Jejeloye said.

“I don’t determine the fate or outcome of any vehicle brought before the magistrate in court.

“Some of the cars being auctioned here were confiscated for obstruction of traffic which only attracts a fine but some people never showed up to claim these cars that’s why they have been forfeited to the State Government after the stipulated period and then auctioned.”

Also speaking, the Coordinator of the State Special Crimes (mobile court), Mrs Arinola Ogbara-Banjoko, added that the process has been improved upon to allow for a seamless and transparent process.