LASTMA recently arrested a man pretending to be a traffic officer in Lekki.
According to Mr. Oreagba, “the suspect was apprehended after our patrol team sighted him fully kitted with LASTMA uniform on a black jean collecting money from different commercial bus drivers who were illegally dropping and picking passengers under the Lekki bridge.
“It is disheartening to see some unscrupulous elements impersonating as LASTMA Officials and extorting money from innocent motorists thereby denting the good image of the Agency before the public”.
Mr.Oreagba urged motorists to be wary of fake officers demanding money from them stating that the Agency operates a cashless policy as any violators apprehended are charged to court with a ‘Referral Notice’
He, however,warned impersonators to desist from such illegal acts as more surveillance personnel have been deployed to strategic locations to hunt for those extorting innocent motorists.
The suspect, David Oluchkwu,27, allegedly confessed to have been impersonating as a LASTMA official and extorting money from different motorists ,particularly commercial bus drivers apprehended for violating traffic laws across the State.
Mr. Oluchkwu who hailed from Anambra State confessed further to be making an average of N40,000 everyday from the illegal traffic business.
“Any motorists I caught driving against traffic (One-way) paid a minimum of N50,000 while other traffic violators were charged different fines”.
The suspect with no any fixed address,however appealed to the government to temper justice with mercy.
Meanwhile, the Director, Legal Department LATSMA Barr. Akerele Kehinde,said that the suspect would be charged to court today (Thursday, 15th of December, 2022) in accordance with the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State.
