Monrovia – The Supreme Court of Liberia, through its Chamber Justice, is set to hear a petition on “Unlawful Restrictions” against motorbike and keke riders.
By Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
The court has scheduled the hearing for Monday, March 17, 2025, at 11:30 AM. The petition was filed by the National Keke and Motorbike Riders Welfare and Advocacy Organization (NAKEMOR), represented by Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND).
The petition challenges what NAKEMOR describes as the unlawful actions of the Liberia National Police (LNP) and other security agencies, which they accuse of restricting the movement of riders, unlawfully confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines without due process.
The petitioners argue that these actions violate their constitutional rights under Article 13 of the 1986 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of movement.
STAND’s Chairman, Mulbah K. Morlu, urged all motorbike and keke riders to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the legal proceedings.
He emphasized that while a small number of individuals may have engaged in misconduct, these actions should not serve as grounds to penalize the entire community of over 200,000 riders who follow the law.
“This case is not just about a few individuals; it is about the rights of all motorbike and keke riders. We urge our members to stay calm and follow the law as the court reviews this matter,” Morlu stated.
The petition follows a tragic incident on February 19, 2025, when a truck driver and a motorcyclist, both NAKEMOR members, were involved in a fatal accident at the Gabriel Tucker Bridge in downtown Monrovia.
The incident sparked unrest, during which some members of NAKEMOR reportedly clashed with police officers. The petitioners condemned the violence but argued that punishing all riders for the actions of a few individuals was unjust.
NAKEMOR seeks a writ of prohibition to prevent the government, through the LNP and Ministry of Justice, from continuing its actions against motorbike and keke operators. The organization is also calling for the immediate return of confiscated vehicles and for the protection of riders’ rights to operate freely within the laws of Liberia.
The government’s position remains firm on the restrictions imposed on motorbikes, especially on major streets such as Monrovia and Tubman Boulevard.
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