19 persons arrested for driving against traffic in Lagos

Operatives of the Lagos State task force have arrested about 19 persons for allegedly driving against traffic along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway. The suspects were arrested by the operatives who were trying to enforce the state traffic laws. Chairman of the task force, Olayinka Egbeyemi a superintendent of Police, said 12 of the suspects are private car […]

Operatives of the Lagos State task force have arrested about 19 persons for allegedly driving against traffic along Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

The suspects were arrested by the operatives who were trying to enforce the state traffic laws.

Chairman of the task force, Olayinka Egbeyemi a superintendent of Police, said 12 of the suspects are private car owners while seven others are commercial bus drivers.

Egbeyemi who frowned at the actions of the suspects said he was surprised that motorists including private car owners could drive against traffic, even with the frequent public enlightenment programme of the state government to discourage people from indulging in such act. 

Egbeyemi said the actions of the culprits violates ‘Scheduled (1) item 27’ of the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012.

He said: “ Twelve private car owners and seven commercial bus drivers were apprehended during the enforcement operations. The on-going construction of ‘BRT Corridor’ along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway by the present government is meant to decongest gridlock around that area. I urge motorists particularly commercial bus drivers to desist from driving against traffic and obey different traffic signs conspicuously displayed by traffic officers along that axis.”

He disclosed that the Lagos state commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, has directed that all 19 arrested motorists be charged to court.

Following the directive, the suspects were arraigned  before Chief Magistrate Amos Olajuwon of the Lagos State Mobile Court at Oshodi last week Friday.

The Chief Magistrate ordered one of the impounded cars, an Honda with registration number  BDG 465 XL belonging to one Felix John to be forfited to the Lagos State Government after he pleaded ‘guilty’.

Chief Magistrate Olajuwon, however, adjourned the case to December 7, 2017 for commencement of trial on other 18 motorists.