Double tragedy for LASTMA official caught extorting motorists

– An official of the Lagos state Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) now has his hope dashed by the Lagos state House of Assembly

– The state House of Assembly approved the decision of the state Civil Service Commission concerning the official

Hopes that a sacked official of the Lagos state Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) would be reinstated were dashed on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 as the state House of Assembly approved the action against the official.

Onipede Olusegun was fired by the state government after he was caught extorting motorists.

Agencies of government including the LASTMA, the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and the task force have often been accused of extorting residents, but the government had also constantly denied the allegation.

After his sack, Onipede had submitted a petition to the state House of Assembly urging the lawmakers to reverse his sack.

READ ALSO: Watch how a LASTMA official almost died on duty (video)

He told the lawmakers that he was on a patrol around the Ojota axis when vehicles were parked indiscriminately at the bus stop which resulted in a traffic build-up,

He said he instructed one of the drivers to move in order to ease the gridlockc but the driver refused vehemently.

Onipede further stated that he brought out his phone and took some shots of the vehicle.

He said while this was going on, the bus conductor held his hand and pleaded with him to delete the pictures and that in the process, a passer-by took the photograph and shared same on social media which the LASTMA authority came across and alleged that he extorted the conductor.

According to him, all attempts to explain what transpired between him and the bus conductor to the LASTMA authority was rebuffed.

He stressed that he couldn’t have done anything that would jeopardise the operational guidelines of the agency to enrich his pockets.

READ ALSO: Bloody crashes leave 10 killed with 23 others injured in Lagos

While responding to the petition, the chairman of the House committee on establishment, training, pension and public service, Dayo Famakinwa, said he invited necessary stakeholders to investigate the matter.

He said after this, a decision was reached that the state Civil Service Commission effect the official’s sack.

In his contribution, a lawmaker, Omotayo Oduntan confirmed that there were many bad officials in the agency and that some of the officials have become allies of commercial drivers.

“I could recall one LASTMA officer tried to extort money from a danfo driver but pleaded for forgiveness after I accosted him.

“I think it’s nemesis that caught up with the man in question and it will serve as a deterrent to other LASTMA officials who indulge in such disgusting behavior,” she said.

READ ALSO: Truck driver dies in auto crash

The House however adopted the recommendation as the resolution of the House.

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