Court jails trailer driver for driving against traffic

Third Mainland Bridge Lagos
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The Lagos State Special  Court has sentenced a trailer driver to three months imprisonment for driving against the flow of traffic.

The PUNCH had reported the arrest of the 33-year-old driver, Sagir Abubakar, on September 18, 2012.

Abubakar, who is from Yobe State, was arrested by the state Taskforce on Environmental and Special (Enforcement) Unit while driving against the traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The Taskforce Chairman, Superintendent Bayo Sulaiman, had said, “Driving against the traffic is rampant in the Lagos metropolis.

“This practice violates the provision of the state traffic law.”

He said punishment for the offence was one-year imprisonment for a first-time offender and three years imprisonment for subsequent offences,  including seizure of the vehicle.

Abubakar was first arraigned on September 20 but his case was adjourned on his request.    

On Wednesday, Abubakar pleaded guilty and asked for leniency.

His charge sheet read, “That you, Sagir Abubakar, on September 18, 2012, at about 12.40 pm on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State, drove a trailer with registration number XB 323 FKA driving same against oncoming traffic and committed an offence contrary to section 7(b), Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012 and punishable under section 7 (b)(1) of same law.”

The Magistrate,  Yetunde Pinhero, subsequently sentenced him to three months imprisonment with an option of N100, 000 fine.

Abubakar was also sent to the state  Drivers’ Institute for seven days driving training and re-certification.

The convict was, however, taken to Badagry Prison because he was unable to raise the N100,000 fine option.