Operatives of the Lagos State Task Force arraigned a bullion van driver for driving against traffic (One-way) before Chief Magistrate Amos Olajuwon of the Lagos State Mobile Court at Oshodi.
SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force disclosed that that the bullion van driver was arrested by the enforcement team of the Agency at Ogunusi Road, Omole bus-stop, Ojodu, Lagos.
He disclosed further that he was surprised 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.
Egbeyemi confirmed that majority of motorists apprehended for this particular traffic offence (One-way) were educated private car owners who ordinarily should have obeyed the law without any strict enforcement.
The Chairman urged 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 parts of Lagos.
Egbeyemi said, 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 Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi directed that the arrested bullion van driver be charged to court for prosecutions as nobody is above the law.
Imohimi 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 plate numbers. He emphasised that, these acts are purely illegitimate.
Mr. Oke Onyeche (48yrs) the bullion van driver 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 temper justice with mercy”
He said the empty bullion van belonged to Integrated Cash Management Services (ICMS) and that he would never in his life drive against traffic again.
Chief Magistrate Amos Olajuwon of the Lagos State Mobile Court who presided over the case adjourned the case to 18th of May, 2018 for ‘Facts and Sentence’ after the bullion van driver (Mr. Oke Onyeche) had pleaded guilty to have driven against up-coming vehicles (one-way) contrary to Schduled (1) item 27 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012.
The court registrar, Mr. Oseni Ibrahim said the arraignment of the bullion van driver was meant to serve as deterrent to other road users particularly those on essential service duties to stop flouting the laws across the State.