Extortion And Highhandedness: 14 LASTMA Officials May Face The Music

Fourteen officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) may eventually face the music over alleged extortion and highhandedness.

The Lagos Sate government stated this today, October 23, adding that suspected operatives would face a disciplinary panel first, where the fate would be decided.

The Eagle reports that there have been increasing incidences and allegations of extortion of motorists and unnecessary dealy of passengers by the LASTMA operatives across many routes.

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The latest case was made clear by LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Taofiq Adebayo in a statement.

In the statement signed by its agency’s General Manager, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, the affected personnel, 11 senior and three junior LASTMA officers are in the net over extortion and highhandedness.

They had been investigated over alleged bribe taking from motorists but would be made to face government disciplinary committee known as the Personnel Management Board, (PMB) Discipline, Oreagba said.

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Informing that their matter would be adjudicated in line with the public service rules, he added:  “These 14 male officers (11 Seniors & three Juniors) were caught at different locations across the State extorting money (bribes) from motorists”.

LASTMA he added, would continue to mete out stiffer and severe punishments on erring officers and men in its effort to rid the agency of few bad elements tarnishing its image.

Advising other officers of LASTMA to always carry out their duties in accordance with the stipulated laws guiding the authority, Oreagba called on the public to support it by promptly reporting officers found to be engaging in unlawful acts.

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He released the agency’s complaints hotlines 08100565860, 08129928503, 08129928515 & 08129928597 with proof of evidence for such reports, adding, that any operative caught brining the agency into disrepute would be made to face the music.

On the other hand, he advised members of the public not to induce the LASTMA operatives with money, saying such inducements could also attract punitive reactions from the law.