Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, have apprehended a suspected serial impersonator, Mr. Femi Adegbemi,56, after collecting the sum of N140,000 from unsuspecting owners of vehicles impounded over traffic infractions in the state.
The General Manager of LASTMA Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who confirmed the arrest, however, warned the general public to be wary of those unscrupulous elements stating that the agency operates a cashless policy as any violators apprehended are charged to court via a ‘Referral Notice’ issued to them.
Oki stressed that more surveillance/monitoring personnel have been strategically deployed to hunt for those unscrupulous elements duping innocent motoring public across the state.
Also, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Taofiq Adebayo, disclosed that the suspect was apprehended by the monitoring and surveillance team of the agency at Oshodi.
According to Adebayo, “The suspect was apprehended after the agency received complaints of extortions from owners of inter-state commercial buses impounded and ticketed for traffic infractions around Moshalasi by Alaka area of Surulere.
“Investigations conducted revealed that Adegbemi has been collecting huge amounts of money from innocent owners of vehicles impounded by LASTMA officials during enforcement operations.
“The arrested suspect collected N140,000 from owners/drivers by promising to help them get their impounded vehicles released from the custody of the agency
“It is disheartening getting complaints from road users particularly owners of impounded vehicles on activities of these unscrupulous elements impersonating and extorting money from different owners of impounded vehicles thereby tarnishing the good image of the Agency before the public.”
The suspect, Adegbemi, confessed to having collected N140,000 from owners of the victims, particularly, impounded interstate commercial vehicles.
Suspect confesses
Residing at Number 9, Anifowose Street, Somolu, the suspect in his statement, confessed, that; “I and my other colleagues make an average of N250,000 every week from motorists arrested for committing traffic offences.”
LASTMA has launched a manhunt after his group members who are still at large illegal deal with his other colleagues still at large.
The suspect, however, vowed not to retun to the illegal operation if left off the hook by the Government.
Meanwhile, Director, Legal Department, LASTMA, Barr. Akerele Kehinde has said that the suspect would be arraigned in court as soon as possible to serve as deterrent to others.
Source | Vanguard
