Mobile court convicts 6 for violating traffic laws in Enugu

By TONY EDIKE

ENUGU—SIX persons have been convicted by a Mobile Court in Enugu for violating traffic laws.

The convicts are Ogu Chinedu, Udengene Benjamin, Anike Chukwuma and Oluchukwu Okwoanoso. Others are Ekwe Christian and Madueke Arinze.

Before their conviction, prosecution witness, ASP Emma Akpa, told the court sitting at the New Haven Junction, Enugu that the convicted persons were arrested at  Nkpokiti junction, Artisan Road, Market Road and the New Haven Junction, for refusing to obey the traffic light thereby committing an offence against Section 9 of the Traffic Regulations in Chapter 137 of the Laws of Enugu State.

All the six persons pleaded guilty to the offence for which they were charged while two others

who were arrested for the same offence, Ben Ehi and Ralph Ikea pleaded not guilty.

Delivering judgment, the presiding Chief Magistrate, Mr Onwu Eni Dominic, ordered the convicts to pay a fine of N5,000 each into the coffers of the state government before they could gain freedom and have their impounded vehicles released to them.

He also ordered those who pleaded not guilty to be remanded in custody with bail set at N50,000 along with a surety of the status of a Permanent Secretary in the State Civil Service.

Hearing on the case was adjourned till Thursday, July 19, 2012.

Speaking with newsmen after the trial, Chief Magistrate Onwu said the essence of the court was to instill discipline among motorists in the state, stressing that the law had no provision for sentencing offenders to jail terms.

He advised drivers to obey the traffic regulations of the state  to avoid the wrath of the law.