The management of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has warned individuals impersonating its officers and men, in Lagos, to desist from the act or face prosecution.

 

LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba gave this warning in  a statement issued by the agency’s Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Mr. Adebayo Taofeek, recently.

 

The LASTMA boss was reacting to the two-year jail term handed down to an arrested fake LASTMA officer, Owotutu  Bamidele by the  Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi on Monday, 27th of March, 2023.

 

Owotutu was handed down the sentence for impersonation, and extorting money from motorists across Lagos.

 

The convicted fake Lastma Officer was arraigned by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on a 2-Count charges of “Did impersonate as a public officer by representing as staff of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (S.78 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015)” and “Did obtain by fraudulent trick (Sec. 323 of the Criminal Law, Lagos State)” before the court.

 

The Magistrate Kehinde Ogundare sentenced Omotutu Bamidele to a 2-year jail term without any option of fine, after he pleaded ‘Guilty’ to the 2- count charged levied against him.

 

Magistrate Ogundare emphasized that the convict should serve the jail term without any   fine option, due to the gravity of the offences committed.

 

The Court Prosecutor, Barrister Olufemi Adekunle stated that both offences levied against the convict contravened Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015).

 

In his reaction,  Oreagba had described the judgment was a welcome development, insisting that would serve as deterrent to others, still  extorting  money from innocent members of public under false pretence.

 

“Our Monitoring and Surveillance Unit which has now been fully restructured would continue to hunt for other bad elements disturbing the peace of the society,” he stated.

 

The General Manager however urged motorists particularly commercial bus operators to adhere strictly to the dictates of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 and avoid attacking Officers of the agency.