20 LASTMA officials dismissed, 5 others arrested for extortion
- The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has arrested five of its officials for extorting money from motorists in Lagos
- Also, 20 other officials have been dismissed by the agency since the beginning of 2017
- The dismissed officials were said to have committed various acts of professional misconduct considered to be inimical to the service and the agency
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Sunday, December 17, said it has arrested five of its officials for extorting motorists in various parts of the state last week, Daily Trust reports.
The officials - Bamidele Sheu, a level seven traffic officer aged 48 and resident of 68 Oke Popo Street, Lagos Island; Ope Adisa, aged 32 and level 5 traffic officer of 8, Freeman Street, Lagos Island and Babatunde Aluko 37 years old traffic officer level 4 of 15, Oriwu street, Ikorodu were dismissed by LASTMA.
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The public relations officer of LASTMA, Mahmud Hassan, in a statement said no fewer than 20 officials of the agency have been dismissed in 2017.
Hassan said the dismissed officials had committed offences and various acts of professional misconduct considered to be inimical to the service and the agency.
He also noted that the officials had earlier received letters of warning before their sack.
Legit.ng also gathered that some officials are waiting to appear before personnel management board (discipline) of LASTMA for various acts of misconduct.
Three of the officials were arrested after one Akinmolayan Babatunde, a clearing agent, filed a complaint against the official.
Babatunde said the official illegally seized his container truck with number AA 553 NGW at Marina area of the Lagos Island while he was delivering goods at Walter Carrington Street at Victoria Island.
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He said the truck was forced to stop at Marina close to the State House by the three LASTMA officials in uniform working with some other men in mufti for driving the vehicle at unauthorised hours.
He said the officials subsequently demanded for N80,000 bribe despite all pleas before the vehicle could be released
He added that it was through the intervention of the zonal head after parting with N7,000 to some men in mufti that the vehicle was eventually released and allowed to go.
Also speaking on the matter the general manager of LASTMA, Olawale Musa, said the activities of the official elements within the agency is appalling.
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He assured that with the assistance of members of the public they will be eased off from the agency to protect the good name of the hard working officers who work assiduously to ensure free flow of traffic in the state.
Musa also appreciated members of the public for alerting the agency to the unscrupulous activities of these officials.
Legit.ng earlier reported that that a lady had cried out after she was extorted by a LASTMA official.
The lady, a Lagosian said she was asked to pay N150,000 after an officer claimed he caused her miscarriage.
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Source: Legit.ng
