Monrovia – In the wake of vehicle inspection exercise ongoing in Monrovia, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has been dragged to court on the orders of Judge Amos M. Fagans of the Careyburg Monthly and Probate Court.
Report by Augustine T. Tweh 00231775524647 /[email protected]
Minister Samuel Wlue along with Assistant Minister Joseph J. Roberts and some staffs of the MOT Inspection Team were seen trooping into the Monrovia Traffic Court at the Temple of Justice on Wednesday, March 27 to answer to the Writ of Contempt filed against Olivia Dillon, head of the inspection team at the 540 Check Point in Congo Town.
According to information gathered by this paper, the Writ of Contempt was issued against Dillon for allegedly disrespecting Judge Fagans after stopping his vehicle in traffic for inspection.
When contacted, the Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Transport, Joseph J. Roberts said the operator of the judge’s vehicle was ordered to park because it had an old plate that is no longer being used in the country.
Minister Roberts added that when the operator of the vehicle was requested to show his driver’s license, he responded that he is not entitled to a driver’s license because he drives a judge.
“The director (Dillon) who having to be the team leader for 540 approached the vehicle, and this vehicle had a decommissioned plate, meaning it has an old plate that is no longer used in Liberia, but it was carrying JUD (Judiciary) with one plate,” Roberts said.
“So the car was told to park and the operator of the vehicle was asked by the police to show his operator license (driver’s license). The man said because he drives a judge he is not entitled to a driver license so, the inspector decided that the car be parked.”
Minister Roberts reiterated that based on inspector Dillon’s order the Judge said his movement was impeded and that his authority was also been challenged.
“The Judge (Fagans) came down from the vehicle and said he was a judge and nobody supposed to impede his movement, so the inspector said the car will remain parked until the driver shows a valid license or you (judge) can show a valid driving license before I can allow the car to go. Unfortunately, he said that his authority was being challenged, he decided to call people to arrest the inspector,” he added.
The ministry (MOT) has communicated with all government institutions to have their drivers licensed before plying the streets in the country, he said.
“As far as we are concerned, we gave the Judiciary a new plate (License plate), so they do not need to be plying the streets with an old plate in the country.
“We are aware that’s why we communicated to the legislature, Judiciary, informing them that operators of vehicles must have valid drivers’ license,” Roberts noted.
