By Elijah Ugani
OBUDU (CONVERSEER) – I have read opposing views about the declaration of the community Chairman of India Abeb community in Obudu Local Government Area wanted in a Pres Release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Obudu Local Government Council, Mr Ikwen Atuaka.
The release stated that Mr Akinshinye Igali was declared wanted for destroying the high way to create entry route.
I also saw a video that was recorded in Bette by our sister Perpetual Uleyi where Mr Akinshinye Igali, and some other youths said they resisted the removal of the generating plant on account that the ones at the police station are yet to be returned.
While I agree that the youths probably took steps to safeguard public properties, I must also add that they must do so within the ambient of the law.
I will do another opinion on the resistance of the youths on the removal of the transformers and its consequences.
On the issue of the road, I reached out to Mr Akinshinye Igali, and he explained that he wrote to the council requesting for approval to create an access entry at the Dam junction. He said the Secretary of the Traffic Regulatory Agency acknowledged receipt of the letter but that the council Chairman, refused that he never got any such letter.
It is crystal clear that Mr Akinshinye took laws into his hands as he destroyed that portion of the road.
I asked Mr Akinshinye if he is aware that destroying public road is an offense, he accepted. He told me that the council Chairman has directed that the road be fixed and that the community has fixed the road.
For the avoidance of doubt, the engineers who handled that road construction deployed their expertise and couldn’t provide for a turn at the Obudu Dam junction because you cannot create a turn at the top of a hill. Yet the only development that can be conceptualized and executed by the Akinshinye is to destroy our already damaged highway.
Again, the turn at the non functional General Hospital has been misused. Motorcycle riders often use it while entering Obudu town from Bebuagbong that has sometimes caused avoidable accidents as you approach the Abeb bridge.
Like I spoke to Mr Akinshinye, I condemn in totality the fact that he has taken laws into his hands. No sane person will support his actions. Trying to blackmail the council Chairman that the refusal by the youths to remove the generating plant is the reason for declaring Akinshinye wanted does not add up at all.
Damaging or breaking roads for entry could lead to legal consequences depending on the circumstances and intent.
Breaking of road to create entry is considered under certain offenses related to distructing highway or damaging public infrastructure. According to section 234 of Criminal Code Act in Nigeria, obstructing a highway can lead to a misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to two years imprisonment.
Damaging Highways or Guard Rails or structures on highways is an offense under the Miscellaneous Offenses Act, 1983. This offense is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment.
I have told Akinshinye that if council proceeds with prosecution, he will sure face the music.
The good thing is that I reached out to the Chairman of council, Mr Peter Undiandeye Pita Pars and he told me that he is not a man of trouble and wonder why he will be the person to prosecute the person he is supposed to protect.
There are reported cases of offenders being prosecuted for road damage or related traffic offenses in Nigeria.
The Federal Government directed Attorney General of the 36 states to prosecute motorists who damage federal roads.
Folarin Temitope, who damaged three flyover bridges on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in March 2021 was prosecuted.
A Niger State High Court awarded ₦1 billion damages against transport associations for blocking highways in protest of bad roads in September 2021.
Thankfully, the chairman told me that Akinshinye should repair the spot he damaged.
I want to thank the Chairman for this decision he has taken and let me tell all those who are fanning the ego of Mr Akinshinye Igali that under the law, any person can report to the relevant agencies and ensure that he is prosecuted within the various regulations.
Dear Akinshinye Igali, you are most cherished, let no one hail you to prison. The council Chairman is the Chief Security Officer of Obudu.
Elijah Ugani,
Public Affairs Analyst and Commentator
Community Mobilizer
Social Change Agent
He writes from the Hills of Ukwortung.
