Rights Violation: Pay Cab Driver N6.2m, Court Orders Road Traffic Directorate

Paschal Njoku

ABUJA -Justice Bello Kawu, of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has ordered the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) to pay the sum of N6.2million to a driver, Osayemwen Idahosa, over the violation of his fundamental human rights.

The judge held that the action of Chukwuma Wyntas, an official of DRTS against Idahosa was in breach of his fundamental human rights to life and dignity of a human person as enshrined in Sections 33 and 34 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999.

In a judgement obtained recently by Judiciary Correspondents on Monday, the court also awarded the sum of N4,246,602 million, being the cost of medical bills in the treatment of injuries he sustained at the hands of the DRTS official, as well as another N2million being cost for general damages at a 10 per cent post-judgment interest until final payment.

“I order the 1st and 2nd respondents (Wyntas and DRTS) to issue an official apology to the applicant (Idahosa) for the breach of his fundamental rights by the 1st respondent (Wyntas)” Justice Kawu ordered.

However, the judge equally declined to grant the relief for the sum of N60million as general damages, and N55 million for the loss of business, psychological and emotional damages suffered by Idahosa.

Recall that the driver had complained that he was assaulted by an officer of the DRTS, Chukwuma Wyntas, on February 5, 2024, over allegations of using a faded plate number, BWR 906 MG, on his vehicle, despite explaining that he had a covering note, given to him by the agency since September 6, 2023, when same agency’s officials made him pay the sum of N27,500 for the replacement.

He said after he was waved down and was attempting to park his vehicle, Wyntas forcefully pulled out his plate number, grabbed his shirt, headbutted and forcefully pushed him to the floor, forcing him to twist his knees, which required surgery and forced him out of his car rental business.