Court charges Man 26, N1.08m for dangerous driving
By Onu Okorie
A 26-year-old man, Atada Victor, has been sentenced to two weeks of community service and ordered to pay ₦580,000 to Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC FCT Sector Command for repairs to damaged patrol vehicle, along with ₦500,000 to cover the injured Marshal’s medical expenses, bringing his total financial liability to ₦1,080,000.
The conviction came following his arraignment before Magistrate Court, Wuse Judicial Division, Abuja by the FRSC, FCT sector on charges of dangerous driving, assaulting a Corps Marshal, and other traffic-related offences.
According to the Corps, the incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. during a routine enforcement operation in the Federal Capital Territory.
Trouble started when Victor, driving a vehicle with registration number RBC 398 DQ, was signaled to stop by an FRSC patrol team over a traffic violation but instead of complying, he allegedly accelerated, knocking down the arresting Marshal and crashing into the Corps’ patrol vehicle in a bid to escape arrest.
The Marshal sustained serious injuries to the head, eye, and other parts of his body, and was rushed to the National Hospital, Abuja, where he remains under medical observation. The patrol vehicle also suffered extensive damage in the collision.
Following investigation and prosecution by the FRSC, the court found Victor guilty on all counts, including dangerous driving, driver’s licence violation, and assault on a Corps official in the course of official duty.
Reacting to the verdict, Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed said the conviction sent a clear message that attacks on FRSC personnel and attempts to obstruct enforcement operations would attract swift legal consequences.
He reiterated that traffic laws exist to protect all road users and urged motorists to cooperate with FRSC officials by obeying regulations and complying with lawful directives during enforcement operations.
