The operatives of the Lagos State Task Force on Wednesday arrested and arraigned a 46-year-old bullion van driver of a popular bank, Mr Bamidele Ezekiel, for driving against traffic (One-way) before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi of the Lagos State Mobile Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos.
The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, told journalists that the driver was apprehended by the enforcement team of the Agency at Brown Street towards Cappa area of Oshodi.
He said that the driver of the bullion van with registration number HK 218 EKY admitted having driven against traffic (one-way) in a statement he made to the Agency.
He confirmed that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu has directed that the arrested bullion van driver be immediately charged to court for prosecution to deter others from the act.
“Honestly speaking, I don’t know why some enlightened and educated people within our society just flagrantly disobey laws made to regulate free flow of traffic on our roads without any regards to other road users.
“It is imperative to urgently re-orientate these bullion van drivers on the need to abide by all traffic regulations and stop the habit of driving against traffic across the state,”
Ezekiel told the court that he committed the offence with one Mr. Kehinde Babalola (Manager of Zenith Bulk Teller) out of the curiosity to deliver money to his destination on time and that he never knew that he would be caught.
He said, “Yes I drove one-way and I am appealing to the government to please tamper justice with mercy as i promised never to do such again in my life.”
Meanwhile, the Magistrate said the offence is punishable under Part (III) item 27 of the Transport Sector Law of Lagos State 2018.
The defendant who initially admitted to being guilty, when the charge was read to him and was asked to affirm his plea of ‘Guilt’, changed and said he was not guilty again.
While the plea of ‘Not Guilty’ was entered by the court against the defendant, the case was adjourned to July 30, 2019 for ‘Commencement of Trial’ by the Magistrate.
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