Extortion: Punch Report Puts LASTMA Officers In Trouble; Summoned To Appear Before 7-man Investigative Panel 

The General Manager of (LASTMA), Mr. Bolaji Oreagba disclosed over the weekend that the Agency had summoned all officials involved in a matter reported and published by Punch newspaper on Friday, 18 November, 2022.

In the report published on pages 28 and 29, it was alleged that three LASTMA arrested three commerical bus drivers on trump-up charges and allegedly collected N13,000, N15,000 and N20,000 from the commercial bus drivers.

Oreagba ordered that all officials mentioned in the publication to appear before a 7-man investigation panel set up to thoroughly look into the allegations as published.

He disclosed further that all evidence contained inside the publication (Punch) would be thoroughly scrutinized by the panel and any officials found culpable would be made to face the consequences under the extant rule of the State Civil Service as specified.

“We have set up a 7-man investigation panel to thoroughly look into those alleged extortions levied against some of our officials and I assured the public that the outcome of the panel would be made public particularly by same Punch newspaper.

“We have it on record that some of our officials alleged to have found wanting for official misconduct or unethical behaviour  recently are currently facing disciplinary panel as the management would not condone any act of indiscipline from any official,” Oreagba said.

While encouraging members of the public to always come forward with their complaint with evidence against any misbehaved officials via the Agency ‘Complaint hotlines’ (08100565860/08174722227/08129928597), the General Manager however, pointed out that there are many LASTMA officials that are dedicated, conscientious and professional in carrying out their official functions as observed during the LASTMA Connect programme aired on Traffic Radio with many Lagosians acknowledging the good work of traffic control personnel.

He advised all road users in Lagos to obey the traffic regulations so as not to run foul of the Law, stressing that some violators are fond of offering traffic personnel bribes to avoid prosecution without realizing that the law frowns on both giver and the taker.

The General Manager pointed out that any motorists with genuine complaint or report should equally reach out to LASTMA via the Agency’s various social media channels (Instagram- ekolastma), (Twitter- @followlastma), (email –info@lastmalagos.com), (Facebook -ekolastma) and (YouTube – LastmaTV)