Traffic offence: LASG arraign a bullion van driver for one way offence in Lagos
One Mr. Oke Onyeche, a 48 year old bullion van driver has been arraigned by operatives of the Lagos State Task Force for driving against traffic (One-way).
Onyeche who was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Amos Olajuwon of the Lagos State Mobile Court at Oshodi said the bullion van belonged to Integrated Cash Management Services (ICMS).
According to the Chairman Lagos State Task Force, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, the bullion van driver was arrested by the enforcement team of the Agency at Ogunusi Road, Omole bus-stop, Ojodu, Lagos.
Speaking through a press statement issued on Sunday, Egbeyemi disclosed that it was still surprising that with the level of enlightenment campaign by the government motorists including private car owners could still be driving against traffic without fear of imminent collusion with up coming vehicles.
He said, ” majority of motorists apprehended for this particular traffic offence (One-way) were educated private car owner who ordinarily should have obeyed the law without any strict enforcement.
” I therefore urge motorists particularly commercial bus drivers to desists from driving against traffic and obey different traffic signs conspicuously displayed by traffic officers particularly around Dopemu, Agege/Pen cinema, Apapa-Oshodi express way, Mile 2 and other part of Lagos. ”
SP Egbeyemi further stated that the construction of alternative routes for motorists across all Local governments and Local council Development areas of the State by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was meant to ease off traffic congestion in Lagos
He however confirmed that the bullion van driver was charged to court on the directive of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP Imohimi Edgal, who said nobody is above the law.
Egbeyemi said, ” The Commissioner of Police also directed further that the Agency should be on the look out for all unauthorised private vehicles using siren, revolving light and those covering their plates numbers. He emphasised that, these acts are purely illegitimate.”
On his path, Onyeche said he drove against traffic out of the curiosity to get to his destination on time and that he never knew that he would be caught.
“I want the government to please tamper justice with mercy and I promise never to drive against traffic, ” he begged.
Chief Magistrate Olajuwon adjourned the case to May 18th, 2018 for ‘Facts and Sentence’ after the bullion van driver had pleaded ‘Guilty’ as charged.
The court levied 2 counts charge of ‘Obstruction and One-way’ against the accused both of which is in contrary to Schedule (1) item 27 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012.
Prosecutor Counsel Barrister Oseni Ibrahim said the arraignment of the bullion van driver was meant to serve as deterrent to other road users particularly those on essential services duties to stop flouting the laws across the State.
