The Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA) has commenced a mobile court enforcement exercise at Bodija Market, Ibadan, as part of renewed efforts to restore order, protect public spaces and ensure compliance with laws regulating trading and other activities in public places across the state.
The exercise, which formed part of the Authority’s sustained enforcement operations, led to the arraignment of several persons accused of displaying and selling goods on roads, pedestrian walkways, drainage channels and other unauthorised public spaces. The mobile court, presided over by Magistrate Olaniyan Folake Rachael, considered the cases brought before it.
Some of the defendants were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, with an option of N30,000 fine, while others were granted bail in the sum of N200,000, with one surety each. The sureties were required to provide traceable addresses and valid means of identification. Cases involving defendants granted bail were adjourned to September 11, 2026, for hearing.
The enforcement exercise followed sustained sensitisation campaigns and previous enforcement operations by OYRLEA aimed at discouraging illegal trading and other activities on roads, walkways and drainage channels.
Speaking at the scene on behalf of Aderonke Adekemi Aderemi, retired judge and the Chairperson of OYRLEA, the Chief of Staff to the Chairperson, Kofoworola Akinbode, said the deployment of the mobile court was necessary to restore sanity to market environments and reinforce the Authority’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
She explained that the exercise was a further demonstration of the government’s resolve to complement sensitisation with appropriate enforcement measures where violations persist, noting that residents and traders are expected to comply with existing laws and regulations governing the use of public spaces. The Chief of Staff reaffirmed OYRLEA’s commitment to protecting public spaces and promoting a safe, orderly and conducive environment for residents, traders, pedestrians and