An Oyo State mobile court has sentenced some traders to three months in prison for allegedly displaying and selling goods on roads, pedestrian walkways and other unauthorised public spaces in Ibadan.
The convictions followed an enforcement operation conducted by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, OYRLEA, at Bodija Market as part of efforts to restore order and improve compliance with regulations governing the use of public spaces.
According to the state Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, several persons were arraigned before the mobile court presided over by Magistrate Olaniyan Folake Rachael.
Oyelade said some of the defendants were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, with an option of N30,000 fine, while others were granted bail of N200,000 each.
He explained that defendants granted bail were required to provide one surety with a traceable address and valid means of identification, while their cases were adjourned until September 11, 2026.
Speaking during the exercise, the Chief of Staff to the OYRLEA Chairperson, Kofoworola Akinbode, said the deployment of the mobile court was necessary to address persistent violations in market areas.
Akinbode, who represented the Chairperson, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd.), said, “The deployment of the mobile court is necessary to restore sanity to market environments and reinforce the Authority’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.”
She added that the enforcement was intended to complement previous sensitisation campaigns and warnings issued to traders.
According to her, “The exercise further demonstrates the government’s resolve to complement sensitisation with appropriate enforcement measures where violations persist.”
She urged traders and residents to respect regulations governing public spaces,
