Oyo State Environmental Mobile and Tribunal has convicted 13 individuals for operating unlicensed diesel sales businesses along the Toll Gate axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Each defendant was fined ₦200,000 in default or faces a five-year prison term for engaging in hazardous waste-generating activities violating the state’s environmental laws.
Delivering judgment at the premises of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA), Ibadan, presiding judge, Barrister Jubreel Adio, noted that the sale of diesel and petroleum products without proper authorisation poses significant environmental and safety hazards and attracts severe penalties under Oyo State Environmental Laws and Regulations.
“The defendants admitted to operating without the necessary approvals and pleaded for leniency. However, ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” the judge said.
While the standard penalty for the offence was ₦5 million or a five-year prison term, the court exercised discretion, considering the offenders were first-time violators and appeared to be ordinary traders.
A reduced fine of ₦200,000 was imposed on each as a warning.
“Let this serve as a deterrent to others. Should any defendants reappear before this tribunal, they will face the full weight of the law without leniency,” the Judge warned.
As part of a goodwill arrangement, community leaders Alhaji Olalere Hassan and Mr Saheed Folarin volunteered as sureties for the convicted individuals. Alhaji Hassan deposited the vehicle documents of his silver 2006 Toyota RAV4 (Registration Number: LLD 587 JQ) as collateral.
The Ministry of Environment will hold the documents until all fines are fully paid.
The presiding judge further emphasised that the sureties would be held liable should the fines remain unpaid.
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