29th October, 2015
Jethro Ibileke/Begin
A middle aged motorist, Ayo Okundaye, has been convicted by a mobile court sitting in Benin court for attempting to bribe an operative of the Federal Road Safety Corps with N500.
Okundaye was found guilty of a three-count charge of driving without number plate, forged driver’s licence and attempting to bribe an FRSC official on duty.
The convict, who pleaded guilty to the charges, however, alleged that the money was not a bribe but a gratification.
The N500 note was marked as exhibit A by the Magistrate.
Sentencing the convict, the Magistrate, Friday Igbinosa, who found the convict guilty of the three-count charge, said an act of corruption was a serious offence the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari frowns at, adding that “even the Commission has zero tolerance for such act.”
“I however commend you for admitting guilt, but must warn you to desist from the act and ensure you go through appropriate quarters to acquire your vehicle particulars and driver’s licence in the future,” Igbinosa said.
The Magistrate who also commended the FRSC official for resisting the temptation to receive bribe, urged other Marshals to emulate his deeds.
He ordered the forfeiture of the faked driver’s licence to the Federal Government, just as he ordered the convict to pay N35, 000 for the offences.
Meanwhile, 16 other traffic offenders were also tried by Magistrate Igbinosa for various traffic violations ranging from speed limit, seat belt, forged vehicle documents and driver’s licence, overloading among others.
He ordered the confiscation of the forged documents and imposed fine penalties ranging from between N3,000 and N75,000 on the offenders.
The court also ordered the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ekiodolor, Patrick Okosun, a Superintendent of Police, to produce in court on 6 November, the fleeing Owan Youth Development Association chairman to answer to the allegation of obstruction of duty.
The fleeing youth chairman allegedly assaulted an FRSC Marshal on duty before the intervention of officers from the Ekiodolor police station.
The court also ordered the DPO to tow the impounded vehicle to the court premises on the said adjourned date.