A 56-year suspected imposter of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Femi Adegbemi, has confessed on how he made average of N250,000 per week.
The serial impersonator was apprehended after collecting N140,000 from owners of vehicles impounded for traffic infractions by the agency.
Adegbemi who lives at No. 9, Anifowose street, Somolu confessed to have collected N140,000 from owners of the impounded inter-state commercial vehicles.
He also confessed further to be making average of N250,000 on weekly basis from the illegal deal with his other colleagues.
“I’m not alone, we are a team gang and we made millions in a week.
“I made available of N250,000 on weekly basis,” he said.
He however, promised to turn a new leaf if left off the hook by government.
He confirmed that the suspect was apprehended by the monitoring and surveillance team of the agency at Oshodi.
Blueprint correspondent gathered that the suspect was apprehended after the agency received complaints of extortions from owners of inter-state commercial buses impounded and ticketed for traffic infractions around Moshalasi by Alaka area of Surulere.
The investigation however, revealed that the arrested suspects has been collecting huge amount of money from innocent owners of vehicles impounded by LASTMA Officials during enforcement operations.
It was also learnt that the suspect collected the sum N140,000 from owners/drivers by promising to help them get their impounded vehicles released from the custody of agency.
Mainwhile, Barr. Akerele Kehinde disclosed that the arrested suspect would be immediately charged to court to serve as deterrent to others.
Reacting on the arrest, the General Manager of LASTMA Mr. Bakare-Oki Olalekan warned the general public to be wary of these unscrupulous elements stating that the agency operates a cashless policy as any violators apprehended are charged to Court via a ‘Referral Notice’ issued to them.
He stated that more surveillance/monitoring personnel have been strategically deployed to hunt for these unscrupulous elements duping innocent motoring public across the state.
“It is disheartening getting 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,” Oki said.
