The Oyo State Environmental Mobile and Tribunal Court has convicted 13 individuals for operating illegal diesel sales businesses without licenses along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The court, sitting at the premises of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) in Ibadan, found the defendants guilty of conducting hazardous, waste-generating activities without approval from relevant regulatory bodies, in violation of Oyo State environmental laws.
Presiding over the tribunal, Judge Jubreel Adio emphasized that unregulated sales of diesel and petroleum products pose serious safety and environmental risks. He noted that while the standard penalty for such offenses is ₦5 million or a five-year prison sentence, the court exercised leniency due to the fact that the offenders were first-time violators and appeared to be ordinary traders.
“The defendants admitted to operating without the necessary approvals and pleaded for leniency. However, ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” Adio stated.
Each of the 13 defendants was sentenced to pay a fine of ₦200,000 or serve a five-year term in prison if they fail to comply. The judge warned that any repeat offenders would face the full weight of the law with no concessions.
To support the offenders, two community leaders, Alhaji Olalere Taiwo Hassan and Mr. Saheed Folarin, volunteered to stand as sureties. Alhaji Hassan deposited the vehicle documents of his silver 2006 Toyota RAV4 (Registration No. LLD 587 JQ) as collateral, which will be retained by the Ministry of Environment until all fines are paid in full.
Judge Adio reminded the court that its primary goal is to enforce environmental compliance and protect public health not to punish arbitrarily.
“We’ve previously fined similar offenders up to ₦1 million each. This court is not an avenue for extortion, but to uphold the law. Today, you’re fortunate. Next time, you may not meet a lenient judge,” he warned.