By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has known as for stronger collaboration with the Judiciary to enhance prosecution of site visitors offenders, guarantee speedy justice and improve compliance with street security rules in Nigeria.
The Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, made the decision on Wednesday in Abuja at a capacity-building workshop on the position of Mobile Courts and the Judiciary in FRSC site visitors legislation enforcement.
Mohammed mentioned efficient site visitors legislation enforcement required skilled enforcement, well timed and neutral adjudication, and respect for the basic rights of accused individuals.
He famous that whereas the FRSC undertook enforcement and prosecution inside its statutory mandate, the judiciary performed a important position in making certain the honest adjudication of site visitors offences in accordance with the legislation.
According to him, cell courts facilitate the speedy dedication of site visitors offences, deter harmful driving and promote compliance with site visitors rules.
He, nonetheless, cautioned that the hunt for quick justice should not end in injustice, stressing that each one enforcement actions have to be lawful and evidence-based, whereas each accused particular person have to be given a good listening to.
The corps marshal mentioned the workshop was designed to strengthen the skilled competence of FRSC personnel and enhance the effectiveness of site visitors legislation enforcement via enhanced institutional cooperation.
He recognized offence documentation, proof administration, prosecution procedures and efficient engagement with the courts as important areas requiring improved capability amongst personnel.
Mohammed additionally recognized personnel coaching, logistical assist, witness attendance and the administration of digital proof as challenges that have to be addressed to enhance prosecution outcomes and public confidence within the site visitors legislation enforcement course of.
He urged members to use the data acquired on the workshop to their skilled duties, noting that improved enforcement practices would contribute to raised compliance with site visitors rules.
The corps marshal emphasised that enforcement actions have to be complemented by sustained public enlightenment to encourage motorists to watch pace limits, use seat belts, obey site visitors indicators and adjust to different street security rules.
He reaffirmed the corps’ dedication to strengthening its partnership with the judiciary, including that efficient collaboration between each establishments remained vital to attaining safer roads.
In his remarks, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf counseled the Corps for organising the workshop.
Baba-Yusuf described it as an vital platform for enhancing the data {and professional} capability of judicial officers and street security personnel.
The chief choose mentioned the programme had a number of advantages, together with fostering interplay amongst members, selling a greater understanding of the challenges confronting the FRSC and enhancing data of the legal guidelines governing street site visitors regulation.
He defined that judicial officers who understood the operational realities of the corps could be higher positioned to contemplate site visitors instances inside the acceptable authorized framework.
He additional mentioned that he had particular regard for the FRSC, describing it as one of many legislation enforcement companies he held in excessive esteem due to its dedication to implementing site visitors legal guidelines.
Delivering a lecture on the “Trial of Simple Traffic Offences in Road Safety Mobile Courts in Nigeria: Law, Procedure and Practice”, the Chief Registrar, Federal High Court (FHC), Mr Yahaya Shafa, urged magistrates to take care of dignity.
This, he mentioned, included endurance and courtesy, whatever the location or circumstances of cell courtroom proceedings.
He suggested judicial officers to deal with defendants, legal professionals, prosecutors, enforcement officers, witnesses and members of the general public with respect and keep away from insults, intimidation, humiliation, shouting and sarcastic remarks.
He additionally known as on magistrates to train endurance when defendants had problem understanding proceedings and make sure that courtroom workers and enforcement officers deal with all individuals showing earlier than the courtroom respectfully.
The spotlight of the occasion was the investiture of the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Baba-Yusuf, as an Honorary Special Marshal of the FRSC.(NAN)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
