ABUJA COURT CONVICTS COMMERCIAL DRIVER FOR ASSAULTING FRSC MARSHAL

The Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC FCT Sector Command, has secured the conviction of a 26-year-old traffic offender, Atada Victor, for dangerous driving, assaulting an FRSC Marshal and other traffic-related offences, following his arraignment before the Magistrate Court, Wuse Judicial Division, Abuja.

The incident occurred 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 while the FRSC patrol vehicle also sustained extensive damage.

Following diligent investigation and prosecution, the court found the offender guilty and convicted him on charges bordering on dangerous driving, driver’s licence violation and assault on an FRSC Marshal in the lawful discharge of his duties.

The court further sentenced him to two weeks of community service.

In addition to the sentence, the court ordered the convict to pay ₦580,000 to the FRSC FCT Sector Command as compensation for the repair of the damaged patrol vehicle and ₦500,000 to cover the medical expenses incurred in treating the injured Marshal, bringing the total financial liability to ₦1,080,000.

Reacting to the judgment, the Corps Marshal Mallam 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.