Femi Adegbemi, a suspect arrested by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), for illegally collecting money from owners of impounded vehicles in Oshodi, has told LASTMA officials how he and his gang members make N250,000 collecting illegal fees from drivers and owners of containers in Oshodi, reports thegazellenews.com.
Operatives of LASTMA on Tuesday, 13 February, 2024, apprehended Adegbemi, described as a serial impersonator after collecting N140,000 from owners of vehicles impounded for traffic infractions by the Agency.
The Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA Mr. Adebayo Taofiq confirmed that the suspect was apprehended by the monitoring and surveillance team of the Agency at Oshodi.
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 the arrested suspects (Femi Adegbemi) has been collecting huge amount 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 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 General Manager of LASTMA Mr. Bakare-Oki Olalekan warned the general public to be wary of these 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.
He confirmed that more surveillance/monitoring personnel have been strategically deployed to hunt for these unscrupulous elements duping innocent motoring public across the State.
The arrested suspect Mr. Femi Adegbemi (56yrs) confessed to have collected N140,000 from owners of these impounded inter-state commercial vehicles.
Adegbemi who confirmed to be living at No. 9, Anifowose Street, Somolu confessed that he and his gang members are making an average of N250,000 on weekly basis from the illegal deals.
He however promised to turn a new leaf if left off the hook by Government.
Meanwhile, the Director, Legal Department (Lastma) Barr. Akerele Kehinde disclosed that the arrested suspect would be immediately charged to court to serve as deterrent to others.
