3rd March, 2016
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
A mobile court set up to try road traffic offenders in Benin city, capital of Edo state, on Wednesday convicted nine offenders arrested for various traffic offences.
Edo state commissioner of police, Chris Ezike, initiated the arrest of the traffic offenders as part of the five-day “operation show your documents” organised in collaboration with other sister agencies.
The prosecutor, Aigbedion Obakpalor, an ASP, told the court that the convicts were charged for road traffic offences ranging from expired drivers licence, fake drivers licence, non functioning rear breaking light and driving with a private licence for commercial use.
According to Obakpolor, other offences committed by the convicts included operating without Edo State taxi colour code, driving without certificate of insurance and driving without wearing driver’s badge.
He said the offences contravene section 7 of the road traffic law cap 148 of the Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 now applicable to Edo and punishable under section 42 of the road traffic law cap 148 of the Bendel state of Nigeria 1976 now applicable to Edo.
The presiding chief magistrate, Frank Idiake, jailed each of the convicts to two months imprisonment, with an option of fine ranging from N20,000 N40,000 and N60, 000, depending on their respective offences.