The Presiding Judge, High Court No 1, sitting at Audu Bako secretariat, Justice Nura Sagir Umar has dismissed the suit filed by Tricycle operators against Kano Road Traffic Agency, KAROTA, Kano state government, Attorney General and seven metropolitan local government councils.
The suit filed by one Rabilu Musa and three others says KAROTA lacks legal power to renew their riding permit and the seven metropolitan LGA’s too lacks such power to collect levy from their members.
In his judgement, Justice Nura Sagir having listened to both parties adjudged that the plaintiff case lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed.
Justice Nura Sagir said KAROTA has the power to carry out riding permit renewal exercise considering section section 15 paragraph S that says; “issue and maintain permits and any other levy chargeable for operating commercial vehicles within the state”.
The Presiding Judge described their suit as baseless and unmerited considering the fact that the defendants are proven to be working and being guided by the laws.
He concluded further that Local Government Councils has the power under “Local Government Taxes and Levies Harmonisation Law” to collect levy from tricycle operators.
It could be recalled that the state tricycle operators were at logger head with the KAROTA regarding renewal of their riding permit which led to the first ever strike action embarked upon by the tricycle operators.
In his response shortly after the judgement, the Managing Director of KAROTA, Baffa Babba Dan’Agundi appealed to the tricycle operators to continue to adhere to the state and KAROTA laws for the economic benefit of the state.
