Court Orders 13 Illegal Diesel Sellers in Oyo to Pay N200,000 or Face 5 Years in Prison
The Oyo State Environmental Mobile and Tribunal Court convicted 13 people who operated unauthorized diesel sales businesses along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway’s Toll Gate axis.
The offenders were fined ₦200,000 or five years in prison for violating the state’s environmental regulations by indulging in hazardous waste-generating operations without the necessary permissions from regulatory authorities.
This was revealed in a statement signed by Dotun Oyelade, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, which was obtained on Monday.
According to the statement, the decision was made at the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) headquarters in Ibadan.
The Presiding Judge, Jubreel Adio, noted that the selling of diesel and petroleum products without proper authorization creates substantial environmental and safety risks and is punishable under Oyo State Environmental Laws and Regulations.
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According to the statement, the accused agreed to operating without the appropriate approvals and asked for leniency. However, ignorance of the law is not a valid reason.
Although the standard penalty for the infraction is ₦5 million or a five-year prison term, the court granted discretion because the perpetrators were first-time violators who looked to be ordinary businessmen. Each received a ₦200,000 fine as a warning.
“May this serve as a deterrent to others.” Barrister Jubreel cautioned that if any of the defendants resurface before this tribunal, they will face the full force of the law without mercy.
Two community leaders, Mr. Olalere Hassan and Mr. Saheed Folarin, volunteered to serve as sureties for the convicted individuals as part of a goodwill arrangement.
Hassan submitted his silver 2006 Toyota RAV4 registration as LLD 587JQ as collateral until all fines were paid in full.
The presiding judge made it clear that the sureties would be held accountable if the fines were not paid.
He did, however, underline that the tribunal’s goal is not to penalize without cause, but rather to enforce compliance, protect the environment, and maintain public safety.
Previously, we penalized comparable offenders up to ₦1 million each. This court is not intended for extortion, but rather to uphold the law. You are fortunate today. “You may not meet a lenient judge the next time,” the message continued.
