In a verdict handed down by the Upper Area Court in Jimeta, Yola, two drivers, Bello Shehu and Ahmed Sagir, received identical six-year prison sentences.
The sentencing followed the admission of guilt by the defendants, aged 26 and 24 respectively, for multiple traffic violations, including reckless driving, obstructing traffic rules, improper parking, and operating vehicles without valid documents or licenses.
Judge Abubakar Balaraba delivered the judgment based on the defendants’ plea.
“Having considered the plea of the convicts, I hereby sentence you, Bello Shehu, a tricycle rider, to six months’ imprisonment or pay a fine of N10,000 on each of the four offences, which makes it two years or a fine of N40,000.
“Also, you, Ahmed Sagir, a vehicle driver, are sentenced to one year in prison or pay a fine of N20,000 on each of the four offences, which makes it four years in prison or to pay a fine of N80,000.
”This judgement is under section 41 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 2015 as amended, adding that the convicts are given 30 days right of appeal,“ Balaraba said.
Earlier, the police prosecutor Insp. Abraham Zirba told the court that on May 5, at about 1:45 p.m., a team of patrol attached to the central motor traffic division, led by CSP. Zubairu Buba arrested the suspects.
Zirba said Shehu, who drove a vehicle with plate number ARD 514 XA and Mr Sagir, who rode a tricycle with plate number JMT 127 AA, violated the traffic rules.
The police prosecutor said the defendants drove carelessly without due consideration on a public road, obstructed traffic through wrong parking, and drove without vehicle particulars and licence.
He added that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 41, 29, 161 and 7(1) of the Traffic Regulation Act 2015, as amended.
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