Impersonator nabbed for collecting N140,000 from owners of impounded vehicles in Lagos
Suspect confesses he makes about N250,000 per week
OPERATIVES of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority ( LASTMA), yesterday, arrested an alleged serial impersonator, Femi Adegbemi, for collecting N140,000 from owners of vehicles impounded for traffic infractions by the agency.
The agency’s Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed that the suspect was arrested by the monitoring and surveillance team at Oshodi.
According to him, the suspect’s arrest followed several complaints of extortions from owners of inter- state commercial buses impounded and ticketed for traffic infractions around Moshalashi by the Alaka area of Surulere.
He said: “Investigations conducted revealed that the suspect has been collecting a huge sum of money from innocent owners of vehicles impounded by LASTMA officials during enforcement operations. The suspect collected N140,000 from owners/ drivers, promising to help them to get their impounded vehicles released from the custody of the agency.
“It is disheartening to get 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.”
Meanwhile, the General Manager of LASTMA, BakareOki Olalekan, has warned the public to be wary of unscrupulous elements. He said the agency operates a cashless policy, and that any apprehended violator is charged to court via a referral notice issued to such.
He also confirmed that more surveillance/ monitoring personnel ha ve been strategically deplo yed to h unt unscrupulous elements duping innocent motoring public across the state.
During interrogation, the 56- year- old suspect confessed he collected N140,000 from owners of the impounded inter- state commercial vehicles. Adegbemi, who lives at No. 9, Anifowose Street, Somolu, confessed to making an average of N250,000 on a weekly basis. He promised to turn a new leaf if he is let off the hook by the government.
However, the Director, Legal Department of LASTMA, Akerele Kehinde, said the suspect would be charged to court to serve as deterrent to others.