17 bicyclists fined for riding without lights

A total of 17 bicycle riders, who have appeared before the Hohoe Magistrate Court, charged for riding at night without head lamps and lights have been fined a total of 4.5 million cedis.

All but one, Mr Ezekiel Atifor, a teacher, who pleaded not guilty, has been remanded in prison custody to re-appear on May 30, this year. Thirteen of the riders, who pleaded guilty, were fined 300,000 cedis each, with three others, Jerome Appiah, Musah Adamu and Atsu Dorkenu attracting 200,000 cedis each.

Prosecuting, Police Superintendent Mr Michael Tattah, Commander of the Hohoe Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU), told the court presided over by Mrs Bland Awo Bakudie that, on May 22, this year, the Police in an attempt to instil discipline on the roads at night at Hohoe, embarked on an exercise and arrested the recalcitrant riders.

He said the phenomenon, which sometimes resulted into accidents, and breach of the peace between aggrieved parties, leading to indiscipline, necessitated the exercise.

Mrs Bakudie, in proffering judgement, instructed that all lights should be fixed and functional before granting them their bicycles and cautioned them against repeating the action.

They are Pastor Raphael Alornyo, Joseph Mantey, Angel Quashie, Jim Tamaku Boye Addo, Sampson Kpegah, Adanu Salia, Seidu Kwami. Others are, Emmanuel Avuye, Kudjo Alowa, John Ahiake and Willie Ahashie.