A fake Lagos Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA officer, identified as David Oluchkwu was on Monday, sentenced to four months’ jail term by the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Mobile) Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, for impersonating and extorting money from motorists particularly commercial bus drivers in the state.
The convicted fake LASTMA Officer was charged by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on a 2-Count counts of “Conduct likely to cause breach of peace” and “Impersonation” before the court.
This was made known in a press statement released by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, which noted that Magistrate Adesanya Ademola sentenced David Oluchkwu to a 4-month jail term without any option of fine after he pleaded “guilty” to the 2-count charges levied against him.
Magistrate Adesanya highlighted that the defendant should serve the 4 months jail term without any choice fine due to the nature of the charges committed.
The Court Prosecutor Barrister Agbaje Oladotun explained that both offences levied against the convict (Breach of Peace and Impersonation) contravened Section 168 (D) and Section 78 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015) respectively.
The general manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, responded to the verdict by saying it was a positive development because it would serve as deterrence to others who are still using false pretences to extort money from innocent members of the public.
Oreagba said, “Our Surveillance and Intelligence Unit which has now been fully restructured would continue to hunt for other bad elements disturbing the peace of the society.”
The General Manager, however, encouraged drivers, especially those operating commercial buses, to rigorously abide by the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018.