{
  "id": 5841736,
  "title": "Motorists decry Anambra agency harassment, N300,000 fines on road",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/motorists-decry-anambra-agency-harassment-n300-000-fines-on-road",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T21:44:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/motorists-decry-anambra-agency-harassment-n300000-fines-on-road/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Motorists on the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Anambra State have complained about harassment and unjustified fines imposed by the Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA), particularly at the People's Club Bus Stop. Drivers allege that ARTMA officials are taking advantage of the poor road conditions to extort money from them, ranging from ₦150,000 to ₦300,000. The drivers noted that the poor condition of the road, especially the deep and dangerous potholes near the People's Club Bus Stop, forces them to drive in the opposite lane, leading to heavy fines and entrapment. ARTMA officials are said to hide near the bad road portions, especially during peak hours, to demand money from drivers plying one way or those forced into the opposite lane. One commercial bus owner, Mr Obinna, shared how he was fined ₦300,000 for allegedly driving against traffic due to the potholes, which forced him to divert. He appealed to the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, for urgent road repairs. The ARTMA Managing Director, Emeka Okonkwo, stated that motorists must pay the fines imposed but did not elaborate on the reason for the ₦300,000 fine.",
  "summary": "Motorists on Onitsha-Owerri Road decry Anambra traffic agency harassment and N300,000 fines for one-way driving caused by bad roads. Learn more. Read More: https://punchng.com/motorists-decry-anambra-agency-harassment-n300000-fines-on-road/",
  "key_points": [
    "Anambra State Road Traffic Agency harasses motorists with fines.",
    "Drivers fined ₦150,000 to ₦300,000 for lane violations.",
    "Poor road conditions blamed for fines and dangerous driving."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Motorists decry Anambra agency harassment, N300,000 fines on road",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/motorists-decry-anambra-agency-harassment-n300-000-fines-on-road-5842904",
        "published": "2026-09-05T21:50:25.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}