Rights Group, CHRPC Raises Alarm Over Extortion by DESTMA Personnel In Delta
Human Rights Group, Centre for Human Rights and Public Complaints, CHRPC has demanded the immediate refund of the sum of (30,000) Thirty Thousand Naira extorted from Mr. OJEFE BELIEVE by men of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) who levied the said amount as a fine and penalty for an alleged traffic offense in Warri, Delta State.
The group also urged the Governor, of Delta State, Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa, to probe the oppressive attitude of DESTMA, especially in Warri, Effurun, and the environs.
The Human Rights Group, CHRPC made this Known through its National Public Relations officer, Comrade Victor Paul Egaga, and the State Chairman, Comrade Ejiro-Stev Unukpo in Warri Delta State.
The group alleged that DESTMA is practicing thuggery, extortion, and nefarious activities that are illegal and thus giving the state a negative image.
The group recalled that; Delta State High Court of Justice, sitting in Warri, Delta State has given a judgment, declaring that the provision of Section 18(1) of Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) violently conflicts with the provisions of Section 6(2) and 6(5) of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to the extent that they vest judicial powers on the Road Traffic Officers of DESTMA Law without prosecuting offenders before a competent court.
The court proceeded to Declare that DESTMA, their agents, servants, and/or their officials lack the power under the law to impose fines, penalties, and/or sanctions on any person that violates any provision of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law.
The court further made an order striking down the provisions of Section 16(3) and 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013 on the ground of inconsistency with the provisions of Section 6(2) and 6(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
With this judgment, we are informing the general public that DESTMA no longer has the right to impose any punishment on any Nigerian before charging them to court, the era of jungle justice is over.
The group frowned that; DESTMA has disobeyed the court order, They went ahead to extort one Mr. OJEFE BELIEVE of the sum of (30,000) thirty thousand Naira, on Tuesday, April 4th in Warri Delta State. According to Mr. OJEFE BELIEVE,
This is a gross violation of human rights in Delta State.
