By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
The long arm of the law has caught up with a fraudster that has serially impersonated official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to extort owners of impounded vehicles by the agency of huge sum.
Identified as Femi Adegbemi, the suspect who was apprehended yesterday after collecting the sum of N140,000 from owners of vehicles impounded for traffic infractions by the agency, disclosed that he makes an average of N250,000 weekly from the nefarious act.
In a statement obtained by our correspondent, 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.
Adebayo disclosed that, “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 suspect (Femi 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 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.
” Mr. Adegbemi (suspect) who confirmed to be living at No. 9, Anifowose Street, Somolu confessed further to be making average of N250,000 on weekly basis from the illegal deal with his other colleagues.
” 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 suspect would be charged to court immediately to serve as deterrent to others.
