Man in court for obstructing governor’s convoy

Twenty-seven-year-old motorist, Progress Raji, was on Monday brought before an Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin, for allegedly obstructing the convoy of the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki.

Raji is facing two counts of driving against the traffic, thereby obstructing the governor’s convoy and driving on the public highway with expired driver’s licence.

The Prosecutor, Mr. David Akhigbe, told court that Raji committed the offences on February 18 on Country Home Road, off Sapele Road, Benin City.

Akhigbe said the first offence was punishable under Section 18 of Road Traffic Law, Cap 148, Vol. 1 of former Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976 now applicable to Edo State.

He said the second offence was punishable under Regulation 42 of Road Traffic Law, Cap 48, Vol. 5 of the former Bendel State of Nigeria Laws now applicable to Edo State.

Raji, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the accused, Mr. Mathew Adebola, pleaded with the court to grant his client bail due to the nature of the offences.

The Magistrate, M. O. Ojo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N20,000 and a surety in like sum.

The magistrate said the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and must also have a visible means of livelihood.

Ojo adjourned the case until March 2 for further hearing.