The Director-General of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA), Hon. Benjamin Okiemute, has described as untrue and misleading an online report claiming that a High Court in Asaba delivered a judgment against the agency on January 10, 2026.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Hon. Okiemute said DESTMA’s leadership had become aware of a story making the rounds on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. He explained that the publication appeared to be a calculated effort to undermine the agency’s work and tarnish the reputation of its officers.
He firmly stated that DESTMA has no knowledge of any such court ruling, stressing that the agency was neither served with any court documents nor invited to participate in any legal proceedings related to the claim.
The DESTMA boss noted that social media platforms are not recognised channels for official government communication, adding that the supposed judgment is unknown to the agency and has no legal basis. He therefore urged the public to completely ignore the report and rely only on credible and lawful sources for information.
Hon. Okiemute also appealed to law-abiding residents of Delta State and all road users to continue obeying traffic regulations, emphasising that DESTMA’s laws are aimed at promoting safety, order and the overall wellbeing of commuters across the state. He warned that those responsible for spreading what he described as false and defamatory information would be brought to justice, disclosing that security agencies were already working to identify the publishers. He added that the law would eventually catch up with them.
While explaining DESTMA’s enforcement process, the Director-General said enforcement is a key aspect of traffic management and involves informing motorists of the offences they have committed. He explained that offenders are handled in line with established legal procedures, including being taken before a Mobile Court, where a judge determines the appropriate penalties.
He further подчеркed that DESTMA operates strictly within the provisions of its enabling laws as gazetted by the Delta State Government. According to him, Mobile Court judges have the authority to impose fines, show leniency to first-time offenders, or apply stricter penalties where necessary, all in accordance with due process.
Hon. Okiemute reaffirmed that DESTMA officials will continue to discharge their duties professionally and lawfully, maintaining that the agency has remained within its mandate and is fully committed to enforcing traffic laws in the interest of public safety across Delta State.
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