By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Nigerian taxi driver learned an expensive lesson on Monday after being caught using his cellphone while driving — a violation that carries a hefty penalty under Belize’s traffic laws.
Forty-five-year-old Christian Ezenwa Okarafor, a taxi driver of Vasquez Avenue, Belize City, appeared on Monday morning before the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Coney Drive, where he pleaded guilty to using an electronic device while driving.
Police reported that on October 27, 2025, Okarafor was seen driving while using a cellphone. The offense, which falls under Regulation 3(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Electronic Devices) Regulations, 2023 (SI 146/2023), carries a maximum fine of $500.
The magistrate fined Okarafor $300, more than half the maximum penalty — a sum he was clearly unhappy about.
In court, Okarafor, who was unrepresented, argued that the phone was not in his hand but “in front of him.” He explained that he had received a call while driving and had placed the phone on speaker, as his earpiece volume was low at the time.
The magistrate, however, emphasized the dangers of distracted driving, telling Okarafor that it is “incredibly dangerous to be on your cellphone while driving.”
Outside the courtroom, Okarafor declined to comment further on the case.
Under Belizean law, driving while using an electronic device is a punishable traffic offense that can result in fines of up to $500.
The post Nigerian taxi man fined $300 for driving while on the phone; said he had it on speaker because his volume was too low appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A Nigerian taxi driver learned an expensive lesson on Monday after being caught using his cellphone while driving — a violation that carries a hefty penalty under Belize’s traffic laws. Forty-five-year-old Christian Ezenwa Okarafor, a taxi driver of Vasquez Avenue, Belize City, appeared on Monday morning before the Belize City
The post Nigerian taxi man fined $300 for driving while on the phone; said he had it on speaker because his volume was too low appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.