The special taskforce set up by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to clean up Abuja has secured the conviction and sentencing of 25 operators of “Okada” motorcycles to jail without the option of fines.
FCT Minister Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed made this disclosure earlier today during a briefing in Gwarimpa I District (Life-Camp), Abuja. Present at the briefing were the FCT Police Commissioner, a representative of the Commandant of Brigade of Guards, commandants of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) respectively, Director of the Directorate of State Security Services, the FCT Comptroller of Prisons as well as the Directors of the FCT Operational Departments.
Mr. Mohammed revealed that the taskforce to date had prosecuted 41 offenders at the mobile courts, culminating in the conviction and sentencing of 25 “Okada” riders to jail. Four of the suspects were discharged and acquitted while the cases involving other offenders are ongoing.
Mr. Mohammed disclosed that the taskforce had also arrested 492 commercial sex workers and 128 miscreants or urchins as well as 17 mentally ill persons.
He stated that all the arrested suspects were prosecuted at the environmental mobile courts. He said the taskforce felt that the fines imposed on some offenders, often ranging between N3,000 and N5,000, were too light.
He warned residents who refuse to use pedestrian bridges and who destroy barricades to desist or face prosecution. Mr. Mohammed directed the security agencies, particularly the police, to assign personnel to critical points to enforce compliance with the usage of the pedestrian overhead bridges in areas in Garki, Kubwa, Lugbe and Dei-Dei.
Meanwhile the taskforce, which is headed by FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Inalegwu, called for the revision and increase of the fines and penalties for environmental violations.