By Giwa SHILE
The Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it prosecuted 296 traffic and vehicle regulations violators in its mobile courts in 2018.
TBI Africa quoted the spokesman of the unit, Mr Kalu Emetu, made the disclosure while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Emetu said that all the offenders were convicted and made to pay different ranges of fine.
He disclosed that third quarter of the year recorded the highest number of offenders with a total of 145, while the first quarter had 129 offenders.
The second quarter, he said, recorded 22 offenders, the least in the territory during the period.
Emetu said “for most of the traffic offences, the mobile court is the one to say what you are supposed to pay in relation to the offence committed and in accordance with the FCT Traffic Regulation Act.
“The courts interpret the offence so you know that it is no longer an individual or the Directorate of Road Traffic Service that gave you the fine; you will know it is the court that gave you the fine.
“Every road user can face the mobile court, and most vehicles impounded are taken to mobile courts.
“The court is set up by FCT Administration, and unlike the regular court where cases spend years, once you appear before these mobile court, by the next appearance, the case is settled.”
He also encouraged road users to feel free to take the VIO to a mobile court of their choice whenever they felt that their rights had been infringed on.
