By Okechukwu Onuegbu
A mobile court sitting Awka, Anambra State and presided over by Chief Magistrate Adaora Okoli, has convicted 35 persons over seatbelt violation and other offences.
The offenders were convicted on Friday in line with the Federal Road Safety Corps, RS5.3 Anambra State Sector Command sustained enforcement strategy.
According to the Sector Public Education Officer, Mrs Margaret Onabe, 44 offenders were arraigned before the court over 72 traffic offences but 9 persons were discharged and acquitted while the 35 were duly convicted but none was sentenced to imprisonment.
"The exercise forms part of the Corps’ sustained enforcement strategy aimed at reducing road traffic crashes through strict compliance with traffic regulations and enhanced operational visibility across the State. It was a case of offenders apprehended during special enforcement operations carried out by FRSC personnel within the Command’s operational corridors.
"The offences prosecuted included Seatbelt Violation (SUV), Speed Limit Device Violation (SLD), driver’s licence violation (DLV), Overloading (OVL), Tyre Violation (TYY), Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV), Number Plate Violation (NPV), and other related traffic offences," she stated.
Onabe added that the Sector Commander, FRSC, Bridget Asekhauno during the court session, reaffirmed the commitment of the Command to the strict enforcement of traffic laws and the prosecution of offenders as a deterrent against reckless driving and other violations that endanger lives on Nigerian roads.
The Commander further urged motorists to always comply with traffic regulations, ensure their vehicles are properly documented, and adopt safe driving practices in order to contribute to the reduction of road traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities.