A total of 46 individuals were convicted for various road traffic offences during a Mobile Court session conducted by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Calabar on Friday.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Abigail Asuquo, handled cases ranging from attempts to bribe marshals, overloading of vehicles, and driver’s licence violations, among others.
According to a statement by the corps spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, on Saturday, ten individuals who attempted to bribe on-duty marshals were each fined ₦10,000. Another ten offenders were fined ₦10,000 each for overloading. The court also issued fines totalling ₦80,000 for various driver’s licence infractions.
The statement noted that eighteen other offenders faced penalties for issues such as faulty lighting systems, lack of caution signs, worn-out tyres, cracked windscreens, non-compliance with passenger manifest regulations, and failure to install speed limiters.
One defendant, however, was cautioned and discharged after being sensitised by the court.
Speaking after the court session, Sector Commander Innocent Etuk highlighted the importance of the Mobile Court initiative in promoting road safety.
‘The Mobile Court exercise remains a critical tool in curbing road traffic violations, deterring recalcitrant offenders, and instilling discipline among road users.
‘The decision of the court would serve as a deterrent and strengthen compliance with traffic regulations across the state’, Etuk stated, according to the statement.
Also commenting, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, reaffirmed the FRSC’s commitment to reducing road accidents and fatalities as part of its 2025 strategic objectives.
‘Our 2025 strategic goal is to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities by 10 per cent.
‘Strict enforcement, continuous public enlightenment campaigns, and strengthened collaborations with stakeholders will remain the bedrock of FRSC’s operations’, Mohammed stated.
He urged motorists nationwide to avoid behaviours that compromise road safety, particularly the bribing of officials.
Between January and June this year, FRSC operatives arrested 290,887 traffic offenders for committing 319,798 offences.
The offences ranged from seatbelt, overloading, number plate, tyres, light sign, speed limit, fire extinguisher, driver’s license, windscreen, and vehicle licence violations’.
