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Zainab Abioye
Akmode Transport Limited has threatened to initiate contempt and defamation proceedings against the Ogun State Government over a press release that allegedly described the company as an “unapproved” motorcycle organization operating in the state.
The threat was contained in a letter dated September 1, 2026 from the lawyers of the firm, Bolarinwa Odeyale & Co., addressed to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ogun State.
The lawyers called for the immediate withdrawal and public retraction of the August 30 press release, an apology to Akmode and a clarification of the government’s position on the company.
According to the lawyers, the publication was inconsistent with an existing ruling of the Ogun State High Court delivered on October 13, 2022, in case no. AB/390/2018, Akmode Transport Limited v Ogun State Government and Ogun State Internal Revenue Service.
They said the court declared the N300 daily fare imposed on commercial motorcyclists, including Akmode staff, illegal and unconstitutional and ordered that the company’s staff be taxed annually through the PAYE system.
The lawyers also said the court ordered the Ogun State government, its agents and persons acting on its behalf to give Akmode “due and necessary recognition” as a Nigerian corporate entity and not to discriminate against it.
They said the ruling was brought to the attention of relevant government officials at a stakeholders’ meeting on July 14, 2026, where Akmode would present a certified copy of the ruling to officials of the Ministry of Transport and the Office of the Special Adviser on Security.
Lawyers then questioned why the government would describe the company as “unapproved” just six weeks after the ruling was presented to its officials.
The lawyers then described the subsequent August 30 press release as a “reckless” disregard of the court ruling, arguing that an existing ruling could not be overturned by a government directive or press release.
They further claimed that the statement caused damage to Akmode’s reputation after being widely published by media outlets, including The Guardian, PUNCH, Daily Independent, Premium Times, Peoples Gazette and Daily Post.
According to lawyers, the publications portrayed Akmode as an illegal or unauthorized organization, potentially damaging its business reputation and relationships with members of public and government institutions.
The company then gave the state government 24 hours to withdraw the statement, issue a public apology, acknowledge the 2022 ruling and cease further publications inconsistent with the court’s decision.
Lawyers warned that failure to comply would lead to measures to enforce the ruling, including possible contempt proceedings against relevant officials, as well as defamation proceedings over the alleged damage to Akmode’s corporate reputation.
The Ogun State government had, at the time of filing this report, not responded to the allegations contained in the letter.
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