LAGBUS driver bags 10 hours community service for reckless driving

LAGBUS 1

LAGBUS

LAGBUS
LAGBUS
A LAGBUS driver, Idowu Oladipopu, was on Thursday sentenced to 10 hours of community service by Magistrate Bola Olagbegi-Adelabu for reckless and dangerous driving.

Olagbegi-Adelabu of the Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court 3 also said that the convict’s sentence would serve as a deterrent to drivers in the employ of corporate outfits.

The magistrate, while pronouncing the sentence, said: ”Those who think that they can harass other drivers under the cover of the ‘big’ company they work for or government drivers that feel they are above our traffic regulations should learn from Oladipupo’s ordeal.

”Our traffic laws are no respecter of any person or company or government driver that thinks he or she can violate others and go free.’’

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Mary Ajiteru, said that the convict committed the two offences on Jan. 26 on Lagos Road by the BRT Park at Agric Bus-Stop, Ikorodu.

She said the convict contravened Section 18(I) of the Road Traffic Laws of Lagos State Nigeria 2011 and Section 45 Schedule 1 of the same law.

The prosecutor told the court that Oladipopu, 25, drove the LAGBUS with registration number AKD 894 XE dangerously in a manner inconsiderate of other road users.

”His driving obstructed other drivers on the road and caused much pandemonium,” she said.

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The convict pleaded guilty, saying: ”I am sorry and I promise not to drive recklessly again.’’

Meanwhile, the Head Officer, Community Service Unit, Ikorodu District, Mr Toheeb Adekoya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that much gains had been made with the introduction of the initiative.

”Convicted persons like Oladipupo would not have to go to prison for minor offences like reckless driving without causing death to another person or persons.

”Those caught in acts of theft of minor things like stealing a tuber of yam should not be subjected to the experience of prison life.

”Besides, this scheme has at least succeeded in decongesting our prison in Lagos to a great extent,” he said.

Adekoya told NAN that sentencing and execution of the sentence are designed most times by both the magistrate and the Community Service Unit.

”The whole idea is that serving the sentence should help to discourage would-be offenders, help the convict to be a better person and to ensure that his or her means of livelihood is secure.

”The service of the sentence also aims to ensure that the convict is not dislodged from society,” Adekoya said

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