AKMODE Demands Retraction, Apology From Ogun Govt Over ‘Unapproved’ Motorcycle Operator Claim

ABEOKUTA — AKMODE Transport Limited has demanded the immediate retraction of a recent Ogun State Government press statement which described the company as an unapproved organisation lacking the requisite government authorisation to operate commercial motorcycle-related activities in the state.

The company, through its solicitors, Bolarinwa Odeyale & Co., also demanded a public apology and an immediate cessation of further statements allegedly inconsistent with a subsisting judgment of the Ogun State High Court.

In a letter addressed to the Ogun State Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the solicitors said the government's statement, contained in a press release issued on August 30, 2026, was "erroneous, reckless and defamatory."

The legal firm referenced Suit No. AB/390/2018, AKMODE Transport Limited v. Ogun State Government and Ogun State Internal Revenue Service, saying the High Court delivered judgment in the matter on October 11, 2022.

According to the solicitors, the court had declared the sale of daily tickets to commercial motorcycle riders, including AKMODE's staff, as daily tax amounting to over-taxation and exploitation, describing the practice as illegal, null and void.

They further stated that the court declared the alleged refusal by the defendants to accord AKMODE Transport Limited due recognition as a legal entity capable of operating in Ogun State without harassment, intimidation or coercion to join or operate its transport business under an association or body as illegal and unconstitutional.

The solicitors also maintained that the judgment ordered that the company's staff be exempted from the purchase of the 300 daily ticket/tax and directed the appropriate authority to collect taxes lawfully payable by the company's staff through yearly taxation using the PAYE formula.

They particularly drew attention to what they described as an order restraining the Ogun State Government, its agents, privies or anyone acting on its behalf from taking actions inconsistent with the judgment.

The legal representatives argued that "a subsisting judgment cannot be overridden by a press release," insisting that the government statement should not portray AKMODE as an unapproved or unauthorised organisation.

The company consequently gave the Special Adviser a 24-hour ultimatum from receipt of the letter to withdraw and retract the portion of the August 30 press release concerning AKMODE Transport Limited.

Among its demands, AKMODE requested an unequivocal written and public retraction of statements describing it as unapproved, unauthorised, illegally operating or lacking legal recognition to conduct its lawful activities.

The company also demanded that the government publicly acknowledge the subsisting judgment in Suit No. AB/390/2018 and clarify the court's alleged order requiring the state government, its agents, privies or persons acting on its behalf to accord AKMODE due recognition as a Nigerian corporate entity.

In addition, the company demanded an unreserved public apology for what it described as damaging statements, as well as the circulation of the retraction, clarification and apology to all media organisations that received the original government press release.

AKMODE further demanded that the government immediately cease and desist from making, authorising, circulating or procuring further statements which it considers inconsistent with the High Court judgment.

The solicitors said failure, refusal or neglect to comply fully with the demands within the stipulated 24-hour period would leave their client with no option but to pursue "every lawful remedy" available to it.

The demand followed a recent Ogun State Government directive ordering unapproved motorcycle operators' associations, including AKMODE Transport Limited and ANACOWA, to cease revenue collection and other unauthorised activities on public roads and parks across the state.

The government had maintained that only ROMO, AMORAN and ACCOMORAN were recognised to operate on public roads and parks in Ogun State, adding that registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission did not, by itself, constitute a licence to engage in regulated commercial motorcycle operations or collect government revenue.

The state government also said a judgment delivered by Justice Akinyemi on March 28, 2023, which had been cited by AKMODE and other affected groups, affirmed the constitutional right to freedom of association but did not confer a licence to operate commercial motorcycle activities in public spaces or authority to collect government revenue.

AKMODE, however, is now relying on the October 2022 High Court judgment in Suit No. AB/390/2018 in demanding that the government's position concerning the company be withdrawn and corrected.

The development could set the stage for another legal confrontation between the company and the Ogun State Government if the demands are not met within the period stipulated by AKMODE's solicitors.