Impersonation:Fake LASTMA officer sentenced to 4-months jail term

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Mobile) Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi, sentenced arrested fake LASTMA Officer, David Oluchkwu to four-month jail term for impersonation and extortion.

Mr Adebayo Taofiq Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, made this known in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday.

Adebayo said that the fake LASTMA officer was sentenced to four-month imprisonment on Monday, Dec. 19,2022 for impersonating and extorting money from motorists particularly commercial bus drivers in Lagos.

The convicted fake LASTMA officer was arraigned by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on a two-Count charges of "Conduct likely to cause breach of peace" and "Impersonation" before the court.

The Magistrate Adesanya Ademola, in his judgement sentenced David Oluchkwu to a four-month jail term without any option of fine after he pleaded 'Guilty' to the two- count charges levied against him.

Adesanya emphasised that the convict should serve the 4 months jail term without any option of fine due to the gravity of the offences committed.

The Court Prosecutor Mr Agbaje Oladotun stated 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,in his reaction to the judgement said it was a welcome development.

Oreagba said that the punishment would serve as deterrent to others who were still extorting money from innocent members of public under false pretense.

According to him "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"

"We are urging motorists particularly commercial bus operators to adhere strictly to the dictates of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018.