These past few days have been quite an experience for this Nigerian commuter. From an encounter with law enforcement agents to what I prefer to term as artificial hike in fares, I have indeed seen better days. Due to the resurgence of the Covid-19 virus, we have seen a second wave of infections. This wave has been more deadly than the first. Nigeria hasn't been spared as we are seeing more people losing their lives in comparison to the first wave considering the fact that this wave began barely a month ago. This time around we are seeing or hearing tales of people contracting the virus instead of just hearing the numbers alone.
This prompted the creation of a law making the use of face masks in public compulsory as well as other preventive measures. Unfortunately the law on compulsory use of face masks was met with an 'I don't care attitude' by a large section of the public forcing the government to take drastic steps to ensure compliance. One of such steps is to apreahend those flouting the law, take them before a mobile court and if found guilty either do a 'little' jail time or pay a fine. In some States like the one where I reside, jail time is replaced with community service for a couple of hours.
Initially when the announcements were made via broadcast media , most persons thought it was the usual bark but no bite. However all this changed when tales of people being apprehend and paying fines started trickling in. Most people now obey the law not really because they want to be safe from the pandemic but rather because of the fear of paying fines.
On my first day of commute to procure some items at a local market, I boarded a mini bus which picked up some passengers who failed to use their face masks despite having them. However on previous occasions I have witnessed drivers either demanding passengers use their face masks or refusing to take on passengers who were not using them. On this occasion the driver seemed not to pay attention or simply didn't care and he would pay a little price for this negligence later on.
As we made our way past one of the major intersections in the suburb, our vehicle was flagged down and the driver was accosted by some government agents who were charged with enforcing the face mask law. The agents pointed out to the driver that two passengers in the vehicle had failed to use their face masks. They informed him that he would be charged to the mobile court in line with the law along with the erring passengers. Surprisingly instead of pleading for clemency the driver adopted an aggressive stand which further complicated issues. This prompted the law enforcement agents to instruct all passengers to alight from the vehicle except those who had broken the law. Some passengers alighted and proceeded to board other vehicles.
Some remaining passengers including myself and bystanders pleaded with the law enforcement agents to be lenient with the driver as he obeyed the law by using the face mask but failed to compel all the passengers to do same. It took the plea of an elderly passenger for the agents to eventually decide to be lenient with the driver. However much to my distaste, the driver remained aggressive despite being at fault while we engaged in pleading on his behalf. I would have been impressed with the law enforcement agents save for their last action before releasing the erring driver. They requested that he give them money for water ( a bribe of sorts). The driver reluctantly and grudgingly complied by giving them two worn hundred naira bills.
On the second day of my commute towards the city centre, we encountered an unusual traffic build up at a point on the route. Initially I thought the law enforcement agents were also enforcing the new face mask law. However something seemed off after the vehicle I boarded drove past the location of the mobile court. Most of the persons charged before the court were wearing face masks. It was at this point upon enquiry from another passenger that the driver mentioned that they were checking or screening for vehicles with expired or defective documentation.
Ironically they were targeting private vehicles and letting the commercial buses through. This was ironic in the sense that most commercial buses either have expired or inadequate documentationin. Some of the drivers either have expired licenes or none at all meaning that they shouldn't be behind the steering wheel in the first place. Sadly although the commercial vehicles are largely spared some drivers have seized this opportunity to hike their fares by as much as 100% for certain routes.
One reason why people dread mobile courts is that the chances of being acquitted once one is charged is very slim as there is no opportunity of one's defense being marshalled by a lawyer. If this was available there would probably be a higher rate of acquittal due to the lack of following due process in the course of arrests as some overzealous law enforcement agents adopt commando style tactics to stop vehicles for screening. These range from suddenly jumping in front of approaching vehicles to forcefully gaining entry into vehicles. Most times those charged to the mobile courts opt for paying a fine in lieu of jail time.
I believe that the aim of law enforcement should be corrective and not punitive especially for first time offenders but what generally happens is that law enforcement agents seem to prefer that people break the law so that they can apprehend them even when there's room to correct suche defaulters without necessarily employing punitive action. Sadly this may be borne out of the fact that people do not generally take laws that are enacted seriously except when punitive steps are taken to compel compliance.
We all should strive to do what is right irrespective of if we are citizens or enforcers of the law as often times exploitation occurs when the right thing isn't done. Stay safe out there. Covid-19 is still lurking.
Shukran
Danke
Merci
Gracias
ขอบคุณ
ধন্যবাদ
Спасибо
for reading.
