By Stanley Onyekwere
No fewer than 80 persons were convicted for various traffic offences, ranging from bad driving, through use of rickety or unroadworthy vehicles to lack of safety equipments such as fire extinguisher and accident signs, among others.
Our correspondent reports that the convictions were reached at a week-long mobile court sitting was simultaneously been held in three locations across the Territory, including Area 1 and Utako.
It was gathered that some of the offenders, who were tried said they were okay with the decision of government to restore law and order, even as others appealed for understanding from the government to assist them fix their vehicles or get something for themselves and families.
Speaking to journalists last week during commencement of sitting for the mobile court at the headoffice of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO) in Mabushi, Abuja, Kalu Emetu said that the court was set up by the FCT Administration to decide the fate of traffic offenders recently arrested by VIO in Abuja.
Emetu, who is Head, Public Relations of the organisation buttressed: “There are standards that must be kept by all vehicle owners in the FCT, but those arrested who are being tried were found wanting.
“We are a law-abiding, that was why we decided to involve the magistrate court to look into the legal issues and whatever is the judgement, we will accept and implement accordingly.
“Some of them will need to pay certain fines to serve as a detterant to others, while others will have to fix their vehicles as the case may be.
“As a modern city, Abuja must be governed by laws and order, so that is what we are doing now.”
He added that some of the impounded cars, keke and motorcycles that were not roadworthy would be ‘cannibalized’, that is dismembered or destroyed.
However, one of the offenders, Ejiofor Asadu, who is a taxi driver. He narrated his ordeal thus: “I was arrested at AYA for overloading because I carried four at the back and one in the front, and I bailed the car with N4,500.
“On my way into town, another VIO man arrested for bad light and asked me to go buy the light which I did. I went to Apo and bought it, as I got back to where they second VIO man arrested me, they had taken my vehicle to their office.
“The car has been here with them for the past one month, and has caused life to be very difficult for me and my family.”
One Francis John, aged 19, who spoke while fighting back tears, said that his truck, a Peugeot 504 1976 model, was impounded because it was too old.
John, who is an Urban and Regional Planning student of Abia State University, pleaded with government to return the vehicles to him.
According to him, it was the only means of livelihood for him and his siblings since his father died.
On his part, Simon Arua, another offender who said that the government action was in order, revealed that he was fined N6500 because his car did not have headlamps and caution sign.
According to him, he was mandated to procure those items which would be fixed before release of his car.
