One-Legged Driver Nabbed

An amputee who drives an Albion cargo truck registered GT 3398 H has been arrested by the Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service in Accra.

Hudu Abdulai was nabbed yesterday at a scrap dealers’ site in South Industrial Area following a tip-off, but he tells DAILY GUIDE that he has been driving as an amputee since 1979.

To prove to the police that he is indeed the driver of the truck, Hudu exhibited his driving skills with ease to the bewilderment of police personnel and a curious crowd that had gathered outside the MTTU premises where the vehicle was parked.

He said he uses the vehicle for rubbish collection in Accra and earns income, out of which he caters for his two wives and nine children.

Asked whether he had ever been arrested by the police, Hudu said, “I do not remember the day I was stopped by a policeman. I drive with caution and always observe road traffic regulations.”

He claimed that during the Non-Aligned Movement Conference hosted by Ghana in 1991, he rode a bicycle from Tamale to Accra.

“My leg was amputated following an accident in 1979. My father bequeathed this vehicle to me and I have taken good care of it since then.”

Asked why he did not employ a driver to work for him, Hudu said, “The last time I gave the vehicle to someone, he crashed it so I have decided to drive it myself.”

Mr. Angwubutoge Awuni, Commander of MTTU, said following a tip-off, the police arrested Hudu in the afternoon of Friday and during questioning it came to light that the suspect had been driving with an expired licence.

“He still uses the licence that was outlawed many years ago,” the police chief noted, adding, “People with disability have specially designed cars so he is not permitted to drive the vehicle.” He said Hudu would be arraigned on Monday.

“Such people are a danger to the public; we should assist ourselves to weed them out of the system”.

ACP Awuni also stressed the need for collaboration with all stakeholders including the public to bring sanity on the roads.

“Sometimes, when you arrest a vehicle, you are easily able to tell that this vehicle is not in good condition, yet the driver will be holding a valid roadworthy certificate.”

In a related development, 20 motor bike riders popularly called Okada, were arrested by the MTTU yesterday.

According to ACP Awuni, until the law banning the Okada business was repealed, the police would continue to arrest all perpetrators and prosecute them. “They want to challenge the law but we will not allow them.”

He also said the police would enforce the ban on the movement of long vehicles after 8pm. The ban takes effect from February 18, 2011.

He asked cargo drivers to take advantage of the grace period given them and get copies of the log book designed to monitor the movement of the drivers on the highways.