Daily Trust (Abuja)
Usman A. Bello, Hadiza A. Hamidu and Misbahu Bashir
3 July 2009
EIGHTY motorists were on Wednesday convicted for traffic violations by a mobile court sitting at Federal Secretariat, Abuja. The motorists were sentenced to two weeks imprisonment or asked to pay fines of between N2,000 and N15,000, depending on the number of offences preferred against them.
Those convicted were said to have committed offences ranging from seat belt violations, driving with worn out tyres, over speeding, dangerous driving, driving without fire extinguishers and caution signs.
Other offences committed were, obstructing traffic, using unauthorised number plates, driving without number plates, route violations, driving with expired and fake driver's license, contrary to the Road Traffic Act.
One of those convicted was the son of a man that claimed to be a Senator from Katsina State.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) stated that the boy's father threatened to deal with them as well as the FCT sector commander for arresting his son for seat belt violation.
The boy's vehicle was impounded by the court and all those arraigned pleaded guilty when the charges were read out to them.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered that their vehicles be impounded by the FRSC until they pay the stipulated fines.
The magistrate stated that driving with fake and expired documents are common among drivers and warned convicts that they will face severe punishments if they are found guilty of traffic offences.
He called on the FRSC to educate the public on how to acquire genuine driver's licences.
The FRSC Sector Commander in the FCT, Nseobong Akpabio said the commission carries out enlightenment campaigns in the mass media on ways to get genuine driver's license.
"It is the mentality of Nigerians to look for short cuts to get things done and that is the problem," he said.
He disclosed that any license obtained without physical capture from the FRSC office is faked; adding that any one caught using the fake one will be prosecuted.
The sector commander also urged motorists to report any staff of the commission that is involved in license racketing, saying such staff will be dismissed if found culpable.
He told parents to warn their children to obey traffic rules rather than threaten FRSC officials after their wards are arrested.
"You see what happened just now, that was a serving Senator from Katsina, who came to threaten us that he will deal with us for arresting his son for not wearing seat belt and dangerous driving. The son abandon his vehicle and went to call his father," he stated.
He said the commission will not look at faces or positions in prosecuting traffic offenders.
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