The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) detained Femi Adegbemi, a serial imposter, on Tuesday. The Agency allegedly collected N140,000 from the owner of vehicles that it had seized for traffic violations.
According to Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, Director of LASTMA’s Public Affairs and Education Department, who verified the arrest, the suspect was captured by the agency’s monitoring and surveillance team in the state’s Oshodi region.
According to information obtained, the suspect was captured when the Agency was notified by the owners of the interstate commercial buses that were seized and fined for moving violations near Moshalasi by the Alaka neighborhood of Surulere about their constant extortions.
According to Taofiq, the agency’s investigations showed that the detained suspect had been obtaining money from law enforcement officials who had seized cars belonging to innocent owners.
“The suspect always promises to help those whose vehicles are impounded to get their vehicles out of the agency’s custody.
“It is disheartening getting complaints from road users particularly owners of impounded vehicles on the activities of these unscrupulous elements impersonating and extorting money from different owners of impounded vehicles thereby tarnishing the good image of the Agency.”
The suspect acknowledged receiving N140,000 from the owners of the impounded inter-vehicle during questioning.
Adegbemi further acknowledged that he and his colleagues had made an illicit agreement that was bringing in an average of N250,000 each week. but pledged to start anew if the government let him off the hook.
In the meantime, Mr. Bakare-Oki Olalekan, General Manager of LASTMA, issued a warning to the public to be cautious of these dishonest individuals, stressing that the Agency follows a cashless policy and that anyone caught in violation will be punished in court by way of a “Referral Notice.”
He did, however, affirm that additional surveillance officers have been deliberately stationed to track down the dishonest individuals who are deceiving the State’s innocent drivers.
