C' River Vehicle Owners Hail Court Orders Restraining 100 Marian From Impounding DELVAN Vehicles, Say Ruling Victory For Rights Of Association
By Ndifereke BASSEY
Delivery Vehicle Owners And Drivers Association of Nigeria (DELVAN) have hailed various Courts judgements restraining Cross River State Government,
Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) popularly known as 100 Marian, My Efa Effiong Nyong and Attorney General of Cross River State from impounding vehicles or trucks belonging to DELVAN
The High Court in a Suit No HK/2/2025 and presided over by Justice Offem I. Offem further ordered that all the 19 vehicles belonging to DELVAN should be released to the body with immediate effect.
DELVAN (Applicant) had on March 9, 2025 filed Suit at State High Court, Akamkpa Division, challenging what it described illegal and overbearing attitude of CTRA (Respondent), asking for a declaration restraining CTRA from arresting, impounding and unilaterally imposing fines on members of the Applicant pending the determination of the suit.
However, having perused submissions of both counsels, Justice Offem, on March 19, 2025, ruled that this Honourable Court in its competent had ordered the Respondents (government, CTRA and Attorney General) to "stop further impoundment of
the Applicant's (DELVAN) vehicles and ensure the release
of the 19 vehicles already impounded to the
Applicant.
"An Accelerated hearing is granted in this case. The
Learned State Counsel is advised to file his
defence, alongside the preliminary objection to
enable the Court determine the Application in its entirety as quickly as possible."
In further pursuit of it's fundamental human rights and fight against discrimination, DELVAN filed a Suit with No: FHC/CA/FHR/21/2025 asking the court to stop further interference against the rights of the association and it's members.
Again, the Court ruled again ruled that CTRA is infringing on the fundamental human rights of DELVAN and should stop forthwith any form of harassments, illegal arrests and impoundment of vehicles.
Hailing the various judgments, Comtade Raphael Sabbastine, DELVAN Executive National President, called on the members nationwide to enjoy all privileges and Right to freedom of association in line with the Constitution Of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
In a press statement dated Marc 28, 2025 and made available to THE BEAGLE NEWS, Sabbastine said: "Our duties as a registered, recognised and certified organisation In Nigeria through Companies And Allied Matters Act, No.1, 1990 Part C among others it to ensure welfare and overall protections of our members against any form of illegality, intimidations and oppressions
"To this end and with this resounding victories, I on behalf of the entire Board Of Trustees (BoT), National Executive Council (NEC), National Advisory Council (NAC) and the teaming members of DELVAN nationwide, commend all for being steadfast throughout the trial period.
"Jealously, I sincerely thank the Judiciary for the unbiased judgement as they have proven to Nigerians that they are the last HOPE of a cman man. I equally commend Gov. Bassey Edet Otu and Cross River state government for tax harmonization and creating a conducive environment for business to thrive in the state."
