14 LASTMA Officers Will Have Their Day In Court Over Extortion
The Lagos State Government has announced its intention to bring 14 LASTMA personnel before a disciplinary panel for allegations of extortion and high-handed behaviour, by the state’s established rules and regulations.
Bolaji Oreagba, the General Manager, conveyed the traffic regulatory body’s announcement through a statement signed by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, over the weekend.
Oreagba reported that 11 Senior and 3 Junior LASTMA Officers were apprehended at various locations throughout the state for allegedly accepting bribes from motorists.
“These 14 male Officers (11 Seniors & 3 Juniors) were caught at different locations across the State extorting money (bribes) from motorists.
“The Agency would continue to meet stiff and severe punishment on Officers and men in its effort to weed the agency of few bad elements tarnishing its image,” the statement reads.
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Stressing the importance of transparency within the Agency, Oreagba expressed his determination to cooperate with the state government to administer strict and severe consequences to officers and personnel.
This collective action seeks to cleanse the agency of a limited number of individuals who are damaging its reputation.
The General Manager further instructed all Agency Officers to consistently perform their duties in strict adherence to the governing laws. Any operative found tarnishing the Agency or the Government’s reputation will be held accountable.
“We thereby called on residents especially the motoring public to support us by promptly reporting any errant Officers at the nearest LASTMA offices with proof of evidence.
“While commending LASTMA Officials for their dedication, dutifulness, diligence, and professionalism, Oreagba however, warned the motoring public to stop inducing traffic personnel with bribes to avoid being prosecuted as the law frowned on both the ‘giver and the receiver’,” it added.