Two groups, Public Watch and the Unity Transport Association, have sued the Delta State Directorate of Transport, the Attorney-General of the state, and Ossisa Global Ventures over alleged illegal revenue collection and harassment of motorists.
The suit, filed at the Delta State High Court in Asaba, challenges the alleged enforcement of road emblems and mobile stickers said to be authorised by the Directorate of Transport.
Counsel to the applicants, Y. Gbogu, said Ossisa Global Ventures has been forcing motorists to purchase multiple emblems on highways and feeder roads, leading to intimidation, extortion and seizure of vehicle parts.
A director of Public Watch, Mr Kenneth Francis, said the collections violate the Constitution, which vests road permit issuance in local government councils, not state agencies.
The groups warned that the activities undermine Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s directive that only legally backed revenues should be collected and called for urgent action to halt the alleged extortion.
However, the Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Onoriode Agofure, said the Directorate approved Ossisa Global Ventures to collect revenue on behalf of the state.
