A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has sentenced a motorist, Abubakar Halilu, to three weeks in prison for committing multiple road traffic offences.
Halilu was convicted following his arraignment on charges bordering on dangerous driving, driving licence violation, overloading, assaulting a Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) marshal on duty, seatbelt violation and resisting arrest.
The FRSC, RS7.1 FCT Sector Command, said Halilu was arrested on Monday, September 14, during a mobile court operation at the Life Camp Unit Command in Abuja.
The motorist, who was driving a Mitsubishi vehicle, was apprehended after allegedly committing the offences and assaulting an FRSC marshal while resisting arrest.
He was subsequently brought before the Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, for prosecution.
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Theresa convicted Halilu and sentenced him to three weeks’ imprisonment at the Suleja Correctional Centre.
The court, however, gave him an option of paying a N30,000 fine.
The FRSC described the conviction as an affirmation of the rule of law and the need for motorists to respect lawful traffic enforcement procedures.
In a statement, the Corps said its personnel were mandated to enforce road safety regulations to protect lives and property.
“The Corps reiterates that its personnel are mandated to enforce road safety regulations in the interest of protecting lives and property, and will not tolerate acts of violence, obstruction or resistance against Marshals carrying out their lawful duties,” it said.
The Corps urged motorists and other road users to obey traffic regulations, cooperate with enforcement personnel and avoid actions capable of endangering other road users or obstructing lawful enforcement operations.
It said it would continue to promote safer roads through public education, compliance monitoring and lawful enforcement.
