Union Alleges Abuse of Authority and Human Rights Violations
The Lagos State council of the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUATON) has accused the e-mobility company, Moove, of unlawfully arresting, torturing, and detaining two drivers who reportedly opposed the company’s alleged abuse of authority. This was disclosed in a petition submitted by the state council chairman, Comrade Jaiyesimi Azeez.
According to the union, the drivers, Moses Ameh and Byang Zakka, were arrested by officers of the Bar Beach police station at the behest of Moove officials. They were then allegedly tortured and forced to sign prepared statements before being transferred to the Ikoyi correctional center, where they remained for a month without due process.
"The two drivers were unlawfully arrested and detained at Bar Beach Police Station, without being informed of their alleged offences. This arrest was carried out through the collaboration of Moove Africa officials and certain Legion officers, without any valid warrant, court order, or formal charges. During detention, the police at Bar Beach Station dictated the statements to be written by the victims under duress, an act that further underscores the illegality and abuse of authority surrounding this incident."
The union chairman further stressed that the drivers were subjected to both verbal and physical assault during their arrest and interrogation. He stated that they were treated inhumanely and denied the opportunity to defend themselves, in total disregard of their fundamental human rights.
"This incident constitutes a gross abuse of power, a flagrant violation of human rights, and a deliberate attempt to intimidate, silence, and humiliate innocent app-based drivers operating under Moove Africa’s DTO (drive-to-own) platform."
The union is demanding a comprehensive investigation into the unlawful arrest, detention, and assault of Mr. Moses Ameh and Mr. Byang Zakka. They are also calling for the immediate prosecution of all individuals and Moove Africa officials found culpable, as well as compensation for the affected drivers for their unjust detention, loss of income, and psychological trauma.
Moove Accused of Exploitative Practices
This incident follows a protest by e-hailing drivers operating under Moove’s vehicle financing arrangement on the Uber platform approximately one month prior. Drivers shut down operations to protest a significant increase in weekly remittance by the company for financing their Suzuki S-presso vehicles. According to drivers who spoke with Technext, Moove increased the weekly remittance from 56,400 naira to 112,200 naira, a 100% increase that was deemed unacceptable.
Drivers cited the arbitrary increase in weekly remittance by Moove and the company’s insensitivity to the payment breakdown as the reasons for their protest. They requested that the company reverse the steep increment. The drivers also expressed alarm that of the new weekly remittance of 120,200 naira, only 39,766 naira covered the loan repayment, representing a mere 33%.
A breakdown seen by Technext indicated that, in addition to the 39,766 naira for loan costs, there was a weekly maintenance cost of 9,966 naira, despite a weekly repairs fund of 16,343 naira. Other costs included a weekly insurance cost of 2,885 naira, a health insurance cost of 505 naira, and a handling cost of 42,735 naira. This led drivers to question why the handling cost exceeded the loan cost.
In light of these alleged practices, the AUATON chairperson is accusing the company of unethical and exploitative conduct. These accusations include the deliberate inflation of daily remittance figures to extort drivers and the recycling of multiple drivers on a single vehicle to maximize profit.
"Promising drivers brand-new vehicles from CFAO Motors upon contract signing, but delivering used or accident-repaired vehicles from their Ojota workshop instead. Failure to properly record drivers’ loan repayment books, falsely declaring them in default, and forcefully repossessing vehicles."
The union also accused the company of refusing to enroll drivers on full health insurance coverage despite deducting such charges. Many drivers who fell ill were allegedly left without support, and their vehicles were repossessed when they could not meet remittance obligations during their recovery period. These actions, according to Comrade Azeez, point to systemic corruption, exploitation, and deliberate fraud against innocent drivers.
He further accused the vehicle financing company of forgery and contract manipulation, alleging that drivers’ signatures were pasted onto falsified contract documents, which were later claimed to be "subject to review." Additionally, the company allegedly restricted access to signed contracts, preventing drivers from viewing or downloading copies, a move described as an intentional act of concealment and bad faith.
"Moove Africa failed to deliver the brand-new vehicles as originally agreed and instead issued used vehicles while increasing remittance costs by over 100% under the guise of inflated handling, maintenance, and repair fees. This constitutes a clear breach of contract, manipulation of agreements, and exploitation of app-based drivers who trusted the company in good faith."
The AUATON is therefore demanding a broader investigation into Moove’s DTO operations and contractual practices across Lagos State.