Hello everyone,

I got flagged down this afternoon by VIO in the FCT. One of them asked me for my papers which I handed to him. After inspection, he asked if I had a valid driver's licence, I replied yes. I made attempt to pull it out from my wallet but noticed that the Officer had walked away from my car. He met his other colleagues who were seated and then signalled me to join them.

Got down from my car and realised that I was before a mobile court. My offence, as read out to me, was that I was not wearing a facemask inside my car. I explained that I have one in the car which I wear whenever I step out of my vehicle. They refused to listen to me and went ahead to fine me the sum of five hundred and fifty naira only. I was given a paper which did not carry the details of how much I paid. I insisted that I needed a receipt for the fine which I paid. After much reluctance, one of the VIO rudely scribbed the amount they collected from me on the paper.

The mobile court judge was rude to me and others whose case he heard while my Ordeal lasted.

I guess that the time has come for everyone to wear his/her facemask at all times irrespective of where one is.

Has anyone had a similar ordeal?

Why would one be expected to wear a mask when alone in his/her vehicle? Is it to protect the vehicle from coro?

If you were the only one in the vehicle, then those vio officials are criminals

uboma:
Hello everyone,

I got flagged down this afternoon by VIO in the FCT. One of them asked me for my papers which I handed to him. After inspection, he asked if I had a valid driver's licence, I replied yes. I made attempt to pull it out from my wallet but noticed that the Officer had walked away from my car. He met his other colleagues who were seated and then signalled me to join them.

Got down from my car and realised that I was before a mobile court. My offence, as read out to me, was that I was not wearing a facemask inside my car. I explained that I have one in the car which I wear whenever I step out of my vehicle. They refused to listen to me and went ahead to fine me the sum of five hundred and fifty naira only. I was given a paper which did not carry the details of how much I paid. I insisted that I needed a receipt for the fine which I paid. After much reluctance, one of the VIO rudely scribbed the amount they collected from me on the paper.

The mobile court judge was rude to me and others whose case he heard while my Ordeal lasted.

I guess that the time has come for everyone to wear his/her facemask at all times irrespective of where one is.

Has anyone had a similar ordeal?

I don't think any VIO fine in Lagos is less than 20k.

This is serious.

I blame the overzealous law enforcers because they act without knowledge. In fact, you would wonder if some of them are educated.

It's the trend these days, enforcement without common sense. That was how they stopped vehicles carrying day-old chicks in lockdown traffic and all the birds died in Ibadan a few weeks ago.

When law enforcement officers cannot understand the relationship between day old chicks and agricultural production-which needs to continue irrespective of the lockdown, then what is the purpose of having such persons in a job?

uboma:
Hello everyone,

I got flagged down this afternoon by VIO in the FCT. One of them asked me for my papers which I handed to him. After inspection, he asked if I had a valid driver's licence, I replied yes. I made attempt to pull it out from my wallet but noticed that the Officer had walked away from my car. He met his other colleagues who were seated and then signalled me to join them.

Got down from my car and realised that I was before a mobile court. My offence, as read out to me, was that I was not wearing a facemask inside my car. I explained that I have one in the car which I wear whenever I step out of my vehicle. They refused to listen to me and went ahead to fine me the sum of five hundred and fifty naira only. I was given a paper which did not carry the details of how much I paid. I insisted that I needed a receipt for the fine which I paid. After much reluctance, one of the VIO rudely scribbed the amount they collected from me on the paper.

The mobile court judge was rude to me and others whose case he heard while my Ordeal lasted.

I guess that the time has come for everyone to wear his/her facemask at all times irrespective of where one is.

Has anyone had a similar ordeal?

Just remember you are now an ex- convict and can not context for election in Nigeria again

freeze001:
Why would one be expected to wear a mask when alone in his/her vehicle? Is it to protect the vehicle from coro?

Hmmmm!

I got surprised too when the offence was read out.

I forgot to add in my narration that I was alone in my car at the of the arrest.

ozoebuka1:
If you were the only one in the vehicle, then those vio officials are criminals

I was alone in my car at the time of the arrest. In my defence, I stressed this part but the mobile court Judge was too arrogant and choose not to listen to me. I guess they were only after extorting money from motorists.

Asquare84:


Just remember you are now an ex- convict and can not context for election in Nigeria again

If they leave you now you've actually made sense...

Facemask in the car? That's ridiculous

nairavsdollars:
Facemask in the car? That's ridiculous

It happened to me this afternoon. It can happen to anyone in the future hence this thread.

Please put on your facemask at all times.

Lol

A friend of mine was also complaining about this to me today, I don't know why this kind of people no dey ham me

ozoebuka1:
If you were the only one in the vehicle, then those vio officials are criminals

Well said

uboma:
Hello everyone,

I got flagged down this afternoon by VIO in the FCT. One of them asked me for my papers which I handed to him. After inspection, he asked if I had a valid driver's licence, I replied yes. I made attempt to pull it out from my wallet but noticed that the Officer had walked away from my car. He met his other colleagues who were seated and then signalled me to join them.

Got down from my car and realised that I was before a mobile court. My offence, as read out to me, was that I was not wearing a facemask inside my car. I explained that I have one in the car which I wear whenever I step out of my vehicle. They refused to listen to me and went ahead to fine me the sum of five hundred and fifty naira only. I was given a paper which did not carry the details of how much I paid. I insisted that I needed a receipt for the fine which I paid. After much reluctance, one of the VIO rudely scribbed the amount they collected from me on the paper.

The mobile court judge was rude to me and others whose case he heard while my Ordeal lasted.

I guess that the time has come for everyone to wear his/her facemask at all times irrespective of where one is.

Has anyone had a similar ordeal?

Were your windows wound down?

nairavsdollars:
Facemask in the car? That's ridiculous

Not only is it ridiculous, but lugubrious.

Always try and know your rights and fight for it, u are alone in the car any yet u still went ahead and pay a fine,they took advantage of your ignorance, be wise next time, no law anywhere will hold u if u are alone in your car, tell me who are u transmitting the virus to while alone in your car, be wise and shine your eyes next time

chillex8:

Were your windows wound down?

I had to lower my windows at the time the VIO flagged me down.

F117nighthawk:
Always try and know your rights and fight for it, u are alone in the car any yet u still went ahead and pay a fine,they took advantage of your ignorance, be wise next time, no law anywhere will hold u if u are alone in your car, tell me who are u transmitting the virus to while alone in your car, be wise and shine your eyes next time

Pray that you do not get caught up in the same situation. The guys I met yesterday were out to extort money from motorists by all means. Did you read where I tried to make a defence that I didn't need the facemask inside my car as I was alone? Did you read where I described the mobile court Judge being too full of himself and not willing to reason with me? We are in a lawless country where anything goes. I valued my time more than to exchange words with government officials who should have known better but decided to look the other way for financial gains.

uboma:



Pray that you do not get caught up in the same situation. The guys I met yesterday were out to extort money from motorists by all means. Did you read where I tried to make a defence that I didn't need the facemask inside my car as I was alone? Did you read where I described the mobile court Judge being too full of himself and not willing to reason with me? We are in a lawless country where anything goes. I valued my time more than to exchange words with government officials who should have known better but decided to look the other way for financial gains.

Which defense? If you stand on your grounds and know your rights, u will not pay a single dime, I have been driving in Lagos since the corona pandemic period, no body from any government agency had stopped me, it's only if I carry passengers in my car them I know I can be liable
Heard u here, u said u valued your time, that's always the case with NIGERIANS,let him open his law books and show you where it's written that if someone alone is driving in his or her car without a facemask is an offense under the law of Nigeria

uboma:



I had to lower my windows at the time the VIO flagged me down.

It was a trap.
You should have worn it before lowering your windows.

Driving privately without face mask isn’t an offense.
By lowering your windows to communicate, you are already in the public space.

chillex8:

It was a trap.
You should have worn it before lowering your windows.

Driving privately without face mask isn’t an offense.
By lowering your windows to communicate, you are already in the public space.

Noted. Thanks

Asquare84:


Just remember you are now an ex- convict and can not context for election in Nigeria again

You sound happy about what happened to me. Pray it doesn't happen to you or a close relative.

Anyways, what happened is termed a minor traffic violation. This will not prevent me from holding a political office in the future if I desire one.

I stand to be corrected though.....

cc: Litigator

uboma:



You sound happy about what happened to me. Pray it doesn't happen to you or a close relative.

Anyways, what happened is termed a minor traffic violation. This will not prevent me from holding a political office in the future if I desire one.

I stand to be corrected though.....

cc: Litigator

@Op, I have some questions. Were you in your private car alone? If yes, you were in a safe environment and ought not to wear mask. Mask is only when you are in public space.

Also, did you wear your mask the moment you stepped out of your car? If yes, you were within your rights.

But this is Nigeria and most mobile court seize the opportunity to misbehave. Did you take take any name?

Did you pay your find via any bank or you paid in cash? If in cash, there is a high probability that money will be shared amongst themselves.

It won't be accounted for. Hence, the amount you paid was not stated on the receipt they issued. That receipt might even be fake.

Just avoid them and their troubles and wear face mask anytime you are out of your house.

Nigerians will take advantage of any available avenue to oppress a fellow Nigerian, but cry blue heavens when same is being done to him outside the country.

They often forget we are the one teaching those outside the country how to treat us because we treat ourselves with disdain.

Just imagine if it were an Indian or a Chinese in your shoes? He will be accorded maximum respect.

Just let it slide as it will cost you more money trying to fight this. Except you just want to make a scapegoat of them or erase what happened today from your records.

Nah it won't prevent you. You are not a convict per say.

litigator:




@Op, I have some questions. Were you in your private car alone?Yes If yes, you were in a safe environment and ought not to wear mask. Mask is only when you are in public space.

Also, did you wear your mask the moment you stepped out of your car? Yes, I did. My only crime was that I was not wearing my facemask the moment I lowered my glasses to respond to the VIO.If yes, you were within your rights.

But this is Nigeria and most mobile court seize the opportunity to misbehave. Did you take take any name? I still recall the name of the VIO who flagged me down

Did you pay your find via any bank or you paid in cash? If in cash, there is a high probability that money will be shared amongst themselves. I paid cash and insisted to have it written on the paper they gave to me

It won't be accounted for. Hence, the amount you paid was not stated on the receipt they issued. That receipt might even be fake. You are on point

Just avoid them and their troubles and wear face mask anytime you are out of your house. this is what I do now

Nigerians will take advantage of any available avenue to oppress a fellow Nigerian, but cry blue heavens when same is being done to him outside the country.

They often forget we are the one teaching those outside the country how to treat us because we treat ourselves with disdain.

Just imagine if it were an Indian or a Chinese in your shoes? He will be accorded maximum respect. sad but the truth

Just let it slide as it will cost you more money trying to fight this. Except you just want to make a scapegoat of them or erase what happened today from your records. No worries, let it slide.

Nah it won't prevent you.thank you for clarifying these grey areas. You fit the description, my learned friend You are not a convict per say.

My responses are in blue above.

Thank you so much for your time.

Asquare84:


Just remember you are now an ex- convict and can not context for election in Nigeria again

you're just an illiterate

The truth is that you've blown ofe, well sha ofe must be blown, op just take it that you've learnt your lessons jare, we suffer to learn

uboma:



You sound happy about what happened to me. Pray it doesn't happen to you or a close relative.

Anyways, what happened is termed a minor traffic violation. This will not prevent me from holding a political office in the future if I desire one.

I stand to be corrected though.....

cc: Litigator

I was going to rant how black folks are dumb when making and enforcing laws, but I remembered two things

1. White people even do worse.

2. Seun or one of his mods would ban me for tribalism

What is the business of a VEHICLE INSPECTION OFFICER with the dressing of the occupants of the car. Before you know it, FRSC would follow suit as if not wearing a facemask compromises road safety in any way.

Since they are so concerned about the pandemic and "working beyond their mandated job description", why don't they post their staff to research facilities to work with vaccine development teams to get a viable cure for this disease? Rubbish.

They are not ready to work. Planning and problem solving is not their thing, heck that's not what they signed up for! They specialise in creating fake problems and offering a "solution " just like the Mafia.

I feel bad for your experience Mr. Uboma

You should not have been fined

legionISproteus:


I was going to rant how black folks are dumb when making and enforcing laws, but I remembered two things

1. White people even do worse.

2. Seun or one of his mods would ban me for tribalism

What is the business of a VEHICLE INSPECTION OFFICER with the dressing of the occupants of the car. Before you know it, FRSC would follow suit as if not wearing a facemask compromises road safety in any way.

Since they are so concerned about the pandemic and "working beyond their mandated job description", why don't they post their staff to research facilities to work with vaccine development teams to get a viable cure for this disease? Rubbish.

They are not ready to work. Planning and problem solving is not their thing, heck that's not what they signed up for! They specialise in creating fake problems and offering a "solution " just like the Mafia.

I feel bad for your experience Mr. Uboma

You should not have been fined

Thank you Sir.

500 n something k,for just a flimsy reason?

This is why I just tire for this world.

Bros,this life is filled with wicked souls.

Most Nigerians are wicked.

uboma:
Hello everyone,

I got flagged down this afternoon by VIO in the FCT. One of them asked me for my papers which I handed to him. After inspection, he asked if I had a valid driver's licence, I replied yes. I made attempt to pull it out from my wallet but noticed that the Officer had walked away from my car. He met his other colleagues who were seated and then signalled me to join them.

Got down from my car and realised that I was before a mobile court. My offence, as read out to me, was that I was not wearing a facemask inside my car. I explained that I have one in the car which I wear whenever I step out of my vehicle. They refused to listen to me and went ahead to fine me the sum of five hundred and fifty naira only. I was given a paper which did not carry the details of how much I paid. I insisted that I needed a receipt for the fine which I paid. After much reluctance, one of the VIO rudely scribbed the amount they collected from me on the paper.

The mobile court judge was rude to me and others whose case he heard while my Ordeal lasted.

I guess that the time has come for everyone to wear his/her facemask at all times irrespective of where one is.

Has anyone had a similar ordeal?

Mine was in Area 1 round about. I told them that my ear lobe is in severe pain and I can't wear it. They got rude with words and I decided to turn my walk off. When one made an attempt to grab me, I told him to back off or else I will orphaned his children. He was terrified and I walked off. I heard one saying that "u d show muscle abi?" I walked off. Don't be too gentle in Nigeria.

Pharaoh4rin:


Mine was in Area 1 round about. I told them that my ear lobe is in severe pain and I can't wear it. They got rude with words and I decided to turn my walk off. When one made an attempt to grab me, I told him to back off or else I will orphaned his children. He was terrified and I walked off. I heard one saying that "u d show muscle abi?" I walked off. Don't be too gentle in Nigeria.

Lol. I was not ready for them on that day as I had more pressing issues to attend to.

VIO, Civil Defence and the mobile courts are simply rogues, waiting to extort money from motorists.