COURT ORDERS TRAFFIC OFFENDERS TO FORFEIT VEHICLES TO GOVERNMENT

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Court sitting in Ogba on Friday convicted six traffic offenders arrested by the convoy of the State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode in Ijora-Olopa area of the State on December 16, 2015, while driving against traffic.

Those arrested and convicted include Mrs. Adejoke Elemoro, Mr. Ogunlana Olatunji, Mr. Ganiyu Ayokuleyin, Mr. Ogunade Segun, Mr. Akinlabi Ahmed and Mr. Sunday Uzebor.

Trial Magistrate, Mobolaji Tanimola of Court 16 in Ogba, convicted the motorists after they pleaded guilty to a one-count charge bordering on the offence filed against them by the government.

Magistrate Tanimola specifically ordered the traffic offenders to forfeit their vehicles which included four cars, one motorcycle and a tricycle to the government.

The convicts had pleaded guilty to the one-count charge accusing them of driving against traffic contrary to and punishable under Section 7 (b) of the Lagos State Traffic Laws of 2012.

In her judgment, Magistrate Tanimola ordered the forfeiture of the vehicles to government and a payment of N50, 000 each as an option of fine to a six-month imprisonment for driving against on-coming traffic, contrary to the laws of the State.

Both motorcyclists and a tricyclist arrested along with the motorists were ordered to forfeit their motorcycles and a tricycle to government together with the payment of N5, 000 and N30, 000 respectively as an option of fine to a one-month imprisonment each according to the laws of the State.

The Magistrate held that the decision of the Court would go a long way to serve as a deterrent to other motorists who have cultivated the bad habit of contravening the Lagos State Traffic Laws, 2012.