Benin viral video: FRSC commences prosecution of Keke rider who attacked operatives

The Federal Road Safety Corps says it has commenced legal action against the erring tricycle rider who was seen destroying FRSC patrol vehicle in a viral video recorded along Sapele road Benin, Edo state.

It further said a disciplinary panel that conducted an investigation into the incident, had recommended that the 7-man patrol team involved in the incident be sanctioned with the award of loss of seniority and reduction in rank.

Last week, a video that went viral online had captured FRSC operatives mercilessly beating a defenceless man pressed against the trunk of their van in Benin.

The man, a tricycle driver, who was said to have been arrested for driving against traffic, was said to have gone berserk at the point of arrest, stripped himself naked, and started throwing obstacles on both personnel and the patrol vehicle and at some point, even dragged the patrol operatives in uniform.

This led to a swift reaction by the patrol team members, pouncing on him and beating him mercilessly.

The case against the erring driver was eventually filed in charge number; MEV/177C/2020, on 22 July, 2020  before Magistrate E. Ojehumen at the Evbuoriaria Magistrate Court 8, Sapele road, Benin.

During the proceedings, the defendant pleaded not guilty to a 2 count charge bordering on breach of public peace and malicious damage of FRSC Patrol Vehicle, after which his Counsel applied for bail which was granted by the Court, and the case was adjourned to 5 August, 2020 for further hearing.

In a statement on Sunday, the FRSC Public Education Officer, Assistant Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem said the Corps Marshal, Boboye Oyeyemi has further directed the redeployment of the affected FRSC staff from their present Command.

According to him, this is in addition to the reduction in rank that was awarded by the Disciplinary Panel against the affected personnel, having been investigated and found liable of patrol misconduct, incivility, unprofessional and unethical behaviour towards a road traffic offender, acts he noted, contradict the patrol operational ethics of the Corps.

“While the Corps sustains its resolve to be firm in the maintenance of discipline among its officers and men, the Corps Marshal wishes to use this medium to caution motorists to desist from acts of molestation, assault of Corps personnel and malicious damage to FRSC property as the Corps will not relent in prosecuting anyone who assaults its personnel or damages any of its properties and installations nationwide.

“In the same vein, the Corps Marshal has also warns personnel to deploy a maximum level of civility in arresting offenders rather than resorting to acts contrary to the Corps operational guidelines and inimical to standard disciplined conduct expected of law enforcement agents in the discharge of their duties, even under provocation,” the statement read.

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