A Mobile Magistrate Court in the Oshodi area of Lagos State has ordered the remand of a 47-year-old man, Adetayo Adewodun, who is facing trial for allegedly impersonating officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
The development was disclosed by LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.
Adewodun was earlier arrested for allegedly posing as a LASTMA officer and extorting N7,800 from an unsuspecting motorist at Itire Junction.
According to reports, the suspect had accosted one Ayano Stephen, who was driving a white Hilux vehicle with registration number GME 259 TE belonging to a construction company, claiming the driver had made an unlawful turn at the Itire junction.
While masquerading as a legitimate LASTMA operative, Adewodun reportedly demanded N80,000 as penalty for the alleged traffic violation before eventually collecting N7,800 from the victim.
In an update provided on Thursday, Taofiq confirmed that the suspect was remanded following his arraignment before the mobile court, where he pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge filed against him.
“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has confirmed that Mr. Adetayo Adewodun, who was apprehended for impersonating a LASTMA officer and fraudulently extorting money from an unsuspecting motorist, has been remanded by the Lagos Mobile Court,” Taofiq stated.
He added that the accused, having pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the Lagos State Government, was ordered to be remanded in a correctional facility pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing.
Reacting to the court proceedings, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, emphasized the importance of ensuring justice in the matter. Speaking through the agency’s spokesperson, Bakare-Oki noted that the arraignment would serve as a warning to others who may be contemplating similar criminal activities.
The General Manager stressed that the judicial action demonstrates the Authority’s determination to rid Lagos roads of unscrupulous individuals who habitually impersonate LASTMA officers to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
Bakare-Oki further reiterated the agency’s commitment to its statutory mandate of maintaining order, discipline, and sanity across Lagos roads while protecting law-abiding citizens from fraudulent exploitation and harassment.
This latest incident is not an isolated case, as impersonation of LASTMA officers has become a recurring issue in Lagos State. In March 2023, a man convicted of impersonating a LASTMA officer was sentenced to two years imprisonment on charges of impersonation and related offenses.
Similarly, in August 2023, another fake LASTMA official was apprehended for illegally towing a vehicle while posing as a traffic enforcement officer.
These incidents underscore the persistent challenge of impersonation by individuals posing as traffic enforcement personnel in Lagos, with the courts consistently imposing custodial sentences to deter such misconduct.
