Bullion Van Driver Arrested For Driving Against Traffic

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The Lagos State Task Force arrested and charged a bullion van driver to court  for driving against traffic before Chief Magistrate Amos Olajuwon of the Lagos State Mobile Court at Oshodi.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that 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 government that motorists including private car owners could still be driving against traffic without fear of imminent collusion with upcoming vehicles.

SP Egbeyemi confirmed that majority of the motorists apprehended for driving against traffic were educated private car owners who ordinarily should know and obey the laws without any strict enforcement.

The Chairman urged motorists particularly commercial bus drivers to desist from driving against traffic and obey different traffic signs conspicuously displayed by traffic officers particularly around Dopemu, Agege/Pen cinema, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Mile 2 and other parts of Lagos

SP Egbeyemi said that the construction of alternative routes for motorists across all Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the State by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode were meant to ease off traffic congestion in Lagos.

He however confirmed that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Edgal Imohimi, directed that the arrested bullion van driver should be charged to court and prosecuted as nobody was above the law.

The Commissioner of Police further directed that the Agency should be on the look out for all unauthorised private vehicles using sirens, revolving lights and those covering their plates numbers. He emphasised that these acts were purely illegal.

Mr. Oke Onyeche – the 48-year old bullion van driver said that he drove against traffic out of the anxiety 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” Onyeche said.

He said that the empty bullion van belonged to Integrated Cash Management Services (ICMS) and that he will never in his life drive against traffic.

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 upcoming vehicles contrary to Schedule (1) item 27 of the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012 levied against him.

The court levied 2 counts charge of ‘Obstruction and One-way’ against the accused.

Prosecuting Counsel, Barrister Oseni Ibrahim said that the arraignment of the bullion van driver was meant to serve as deterrent to other road users particularly those on essential service duties against flouting the laws across the State.