An Abuja Magistrate Court has convicted a 26-year-old Atada Victor, for dangerous driving, assaulting an FRSC Marshal and other traffic-related offences.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, FCT Command disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The court also ordered the convict to pay the sum N580,000 as compensation for the repair of the damaged patrol vehicle and another N500,000 to cover the medical expenses incurred in treating the injured Marshal.
According to the statement, the conviction marks another significant step in the Corps’ commitment to protecting its personnel and ensuring that acts of violence against law enforcement officers do not go unpunished.
“The incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. during a routine traffic enforcement operation in the Federal Capital Territory when the offender, driving a vehicle with registration number RBC 398 DQ, was flagged down by an FRSC patrol team for a traffic violation. Rather than complying with the lawful directive to stop, he deliberately accelerated, knocked down the arresting Marshal and rammed into the Corps’ patrol vehicle in a desperate attempt to evade arrest.
“The violent action left the Marshal with serious injuries to the head, eye and other parts of the body. He was immediately evacuated to the National Hospital, Abuja, where he is currently receiving treatment and remains under medical observation. The FRSC patrol vehicle also sustained extensive damage.” The statement said.
Reacting to the judgment, the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed described the conviction as a clear demonstration that attacks on FRSC personnel and attempts to obstruct lawful enforcement operations will attract swift and appropriate legal consequences.
He stressed that road traffic laws exist to safeguard all road users and urged motorists to always cooperate with FRSC personnel by obeying traffic regulations and complying with lawful directives during patrol and enforcement operations.
