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 opposed the company’s abuse of authority. This was disclosed in a petition 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 tortured and forced to sign a statement prepared for them before being transferred to the Ikoyi correctional centre, where they remained for a month without due

“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 chairman’s petition reads.

He further stressed that the drivers were subjected to both verbal and physical assault during their arrest and interrogation. He said 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 chairman said.

See also: Moove drivers protest 100% increase in weekly remittance, shut down operations

Thus, the union is demanding from the authorities a comprehensive investigation into the unlawful arrest, detention, and assault of the two drivers: Mr Moses Ameh and Mr Byang Zakka. It is also demanding an immediate prosecution of all individuals and Moove Africa officials found culpable and compensation for the affected drivers for their unjust detention, loss of income, and psychological trauma.

Moove accused of exploitative practices

A month ago, e-Hailing drivers operating under Moove’s vehicle financing arrangement on the Uber platform shut down operations in protest against a huge increase in weekly remittance by the company for financing their Suzuki S-presso vehicles. According to the drivers who spoke with Technext, Moove increased the weekly remittance from 56,400 naira to 112,200 naira. This was a 100 per cent increase, which was simply unacceptable to the drivers.



According to the drivers, the arbitrary increase in the weekly remittance by Moove and the insensitivity of its payment breakdown are the reasons for their protest. Thus, they are requesting that the company reverse the high increment. The drivers are also expressing alarm that of the 120,200 naira new weekly remittance, only 39,766 naira covers the loan repayment, a mere 33 per cent.

According to a breakdown seen by Technext, aside from the 39,766 naira for loan cost, there is also a weekly maintenance cost of 9,966 naira, despite a weekly repairs fund of 16,343 naira, a weekly insurance cost of 2,885 naira, a paltry health insurance cost of 505 naira, and a handling cost of 42,735 naira which left drivers wondering why the handling cost is more than the loan cost.

In light of this, the AUATON chairperson is accusing the company of unethical and exploitative practices. They include the deliberate inflation of daily remittance figures to extort drivers and recycling multiple drivers on one vehicle to maximise 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,” he said.



He also accused the company of refusing to enrol drivers on full health insurance coverage despite deducting such charges. He noted that many drivers who fell ill were left without support, and their vehicles were repossessed when they could not meet remittance obligations during recovery. These actions, according to Comrade Azeez, reveal systemic corruption, exploitation, and deliberate fraud against innocent drivers.

He further accused the vehicle financing company of forgery and contract manipulation, having pasted drivers’ signatures on falsified contract documents, later claiming that such agreements were “subject to review.” Furthermore, they deliberately restricted access to the signed contracts, preventing drivers from viewing or downloading copies, a move he 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,” Comrade Azeez said.

Thus, the AUATON is demanding a broader investigation into Moove’s DTO operations and contractual practices across Lagos State.