By Eyitayo Oyepitan.
The Lagos State Government may prosecute Arise Television staff, Rufai Oseni.
The outspoken journalist admitted that he passed the Bus Rapid Transition (BRT) lane on Monday.
On Twitter, Rufai explained that he did so because other vehicles passed and were not stopped.
He said a policeman pointed a gun at him, took his keys, and drove the car off, “because he wanted to enforce a traffic infraction”.
The tweet drew reactions as users labelled him a lawbreaker. But the government critic swiftly rejected the tag.
“I am not a lawbreaker, I saw cars pass through the supposed BRT lane and they were not stopped.
“If I didn’t see other cars I would not go through, plus I wasn’t conversant with the road. I will never deliberately break the law.”
Rufai added that he offered to pay for the traffic infraction but the police insisted on collecting his keys.
Reacting, Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin faulted the media practitioner.
“Rufai, let’s not do this. You admitted to me that you passed a BRT lane. It’s against the law.
“Your claim that google maps took you there is not tenable. You disobeyed and resisted the officers.
“We’ll sanction the officer who misused firearm if proven”, the spokesman assured.
In a tweet, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile said the pundit will be prosecuted.
“Thank you Rufai, while the @PoliceNG deal with the police officer in their own way, we’d ensure that necessary action is taken against you for driving on BRT lane as you’ve admitted to the police.
“You’re a lawbreaker and you should face the necessary penalties”, the media aide added
We all admitted that Mr Rufai of the Arise TV was wrong. Is that? Yes. He violated constituted law. Personae of his calibre. An important member of the fourth realm estate. An important figure in the society for that matter. I hope he is fined and made good examples for those will violate the same law in the future.
I read some who heavily criticized Mr Rufai. These are people who’d done worse than Mr Rufai did. If you’ve used one way before, you are also guilty, but not caught. Some had taken the same route in the past, but weren’t caught.
Some used the avenue to get back at Mr Rufai because he’d spoken harshly to their lawds and saviours with woeful performances at the helm of affairs. Rufai is a critic of the government. The government’s children and pro-establishment have been looking for ways to get back at him. Then, yesterday came. They make good use of that.
Some would have beaten him to stupor if they were to be there. Some said he should be flogged. Headmaster! If you are into frauds you are not in are far worse. If you’ve cheated people, you are part of the problems.
You are worse than Mr Rufai if you are supporting the wrong persons on biases. If you are supporting anyone on religious, ethnic and other biases you are worse than Mr Rufai. Some of those criticizing the guy much more worse than him.
You are lucky you have yet to meet your waterloo. Olé. 🤔
They probably put a surveillance on him, he fell for their trap?. Hatchet job? Who knows! A traffic infraction is not a criminal offense, at worst, he will get a fine. One would think that he is too smart to fall for such gimmick.
My grouse though, is coming on air to do the reportage claiming he offered to pay the fee for offence committed.
However, what it looks like is some people in authority seem to be making political issues out of a civil matter. We all know how squid the traffic signs are, and how the officials enforcing them behave.
Many citizens have fallen into such traps by these overzealous officials which may give credence to the suspicion of him being pursecuted based on his professional opinion/views.
~ Eyitayo Oyepitan.
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