Osun Assembly Proposes Fines And Imprisonment For Skating On Public Roads.
Lawmakers in the Osun State House of Assembly have moved to curb skating on public roads and pavements, proposing a penalty of six months’ imprisonment or a N20,000 fine for offenders. The resolution was reached during a sitting of the committee of the whole on Tuesday in Abeokuta, as part of deliberations on the “Osun State Skating Restriction Bill 2025”.
Presenting the committee’s findings during a plenary session, Mr Adewale Egbedun, Speaker of the Assembly and Chairman of the Committee, emphasised that roller skating and similar activities are indoor pursuits and should be confined to designated spaces. He argued that restricting skating to indoor venues would enhance public safety on roads and pavements.
The proposed legislation, when passed, would grant citizens the authority to apprehend individuals caught skating on public roads and hand them over to the police for prosecution. Additionally, the bill stipulates that both magistrates’ courts and high courts in Osun State will have concurrent jurisdiction to adjudicate cases related to such offences.
Under the draft law, anyone found guilty of skating on public roads or pavements would face a minimum of six months in prison, a fine of at least N250,000, or both, according to Egbedun. This provision aims to deter the use of roller skates in public spaces and ensure compliance with the new regulations.
The Assembly’s focus on public safety follows other regional legislative efforts, such as Ogun State’s opening of alternative roads within the Ijebu-Ode–Mojoda tollgate axis and Delta State’s commitment of N50 billion to council road projects. In a related development, the Cross River Assembly recently passed the Senior Citizens Care Bill 2025, reflecting a broader trend of state-level reforms addressing diverse community needs.
Following the skating bill discussions, the Osun Assembly reconvened as the committee of the whole to deliberate on the “Osun State Multi-Door Court House Establishment Bill 2025”, aimed at enhancing access to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. The Assembly adjourned its sitting to Monday, 12 May, to continue its legislative agenda.
The proposed skating restrictions have sparked debate, with supporters arguing they will improve road safety, while critics question the severity of the penalties. As the bill progresses towards final passage.