Court convicts 39 tricycle, bike riders without permit

A mobile court sitting in Benin has convicted 39 people for operating tricycles and motorcycles without rider’s permit.

The prosecutor, Mrs P O. Ovbiagele, had told the court that the 39 people were apprehended within Benin-Agbor road axis, riding their bikes and tricycles without permit.

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According to Ovbiagele, the offence is punishable under section 9(4) and 27 of the Second Schedule of the Edo Traffic Control and Management Agency Law, 2010. The accused persons pleaded guilty to the offence and asked for leniency.

The Chief Magistrate, Mutairu Oare, thereafter, convicted the 39 persons and ordered them to pay N5,000 fine each, and obtain the rider’s permit within 24 hours.

According to him, if they fail to obtain the permit, parking fees of N1,000 would be charged on their impounded bikes and tricycles on a daily basis.

Oare also said that after six weeks of non-compliance, the tricycles and bike would be forfeited to the state government.