Drivers Caught With Fake Licence Will Go To Jail, Says Chidoka

  Mr Osita Chidoka, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, says any motorist henceforth caught with a fake driver’s licence will be prosecuted. Chidoka said this while fielding questions from newsmen at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja. The corps marshall also said that such motorists will have their vehicles impounded. He said also said a criminal charge of “possession of fake identity documents’’ would be added to the offence of such a motorist. “Let me tell people (motorists) that anybody we arrest with a fake driver’s licence, we are sending straight to court. “We are impounding that vehicle because you are not authorised to drive on Nigerian roads. “And we will not only stop with licence violation but will also ask the police to include criminal charges of possession of fake identity document,’’ he said. The corps marshal appealed to those intending to obtain the document not to apply by proxy but go through the normal process, though cumbersome. “It is important that you go through the normal process and get it (driver’s licence); the normal process is cumbersome for some people, it takes time. “But that is because we are trying to ensure the integrity of the process and I crave the indulgence of Nigerians to appreciate that is an enormous responsibility. “We are trying to make it as easy as possible but we also do not want to compromise on the integrity of the product (document),’’ he said. Chidoka disclosed that the commission generated more than N4 billion in 2013 through fines from road traffic offences. He, however, appealed to motorists to obey traffic rules and regulations, saying, “we look forward to the days when fine will start going down. “When people (motorists) will stop misbehaving on the roads, the fines will start going down as an indication that traffic offences are on the decline.’’ On the commission’s 2014 annual lecture, Chidoka said it would focus on “developmental challenges to safer roads in the African continent in the 21st century”. He said that the Ghana’s President, Mr John Mahama, would deliver the keynote address at the event, which has been slated for Feb. 28. According to him, President Goodluck Jonathan, would be the Special Guest, while the Senate President, Sen. David Mark, would be the chairman of the event. The theme of the lecture is “Safer Roads: A 21st Century Development Challenge