metro

LASTMA Officials Arrest Marketer Who Took the ‘Right Lane’, Extort N25,500 From Him

Published

2 years ago

September 16, 2022

Obi Nnamdi (not real name), a Lagos-based marketer, has accused officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) of conniving with some police officers to extort N25,500 from him.

Nnamdi told FIJ that some LASTMA officials on Fadeyi street, along the Ikorodu expressway, stopped him at about 10 am on Thursday and towed his car to their headquarters in Oshodi.

The marketer said that he had just descended from the Ojuelegba-Fadeyi flyover bridge and was about to use the other lane by the side to reach Fadeyi when the officials stopped him.

“Cars always take that route and it is not illegal. It is even tiled to show that you can use it to navigate to the other lane, but these officers would not listen. They seized my car and took it to Oshodi,” Nnamdi told FIJ.

READ ALSO:

He stated that although he was willing to answer all the questions the LASTMA officials threw at him, they forcefully seized his car as though he was fighting with them.

Nnamdi said that he asked the officers what his offence was when he got to their headquarters but no one could give him an answer. He said the officers asked him to pay a N50,000 fine because other vehicles they seized were to be bailed out with the same amount.

“Because I was late for work, I told them I would pay N10,000 for them to let me go, but they disagreed. After much argument, I paid them N25,500,” he said.

“But the officials demanded that we withdrew from a nearby point of sale before paying them. They were strongly against me making a transfer to one of them. The payment was undocumented. They took me to a corner where I gave them the money.”

Nnamdi said that he realised both the police officers and LASTMA officials that arrested him referred to one another by fake names.

He said that when he called one of them by his real name, he got scared and told him to just pay up and leave.

FIJ attempted to speak with Olumide Filade, LASTMA’s spokesperson, but his line was busy. At press time, he had not responded to a text sent to him.

Related Topics:LASTMA marketer Right Lane

Up Next

Dozens Killed In ISWAP, B/Haram Rival Clash In Borno

Don't Miss

2023: We’ll arrest, cage terrorists, bandits, kidnapping sponsors before elections –DSS

metro

We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

Published

10 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Governor Ahmed Aliyu and Hamdiyya Sidi

We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

The Sokoto Police Command has refuted claims circulated by an online platform alleging that Hamdiyya Sidi was arrested and detained for criticizing Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

Labeling the reports as baseless, police officials clarified that Sidi was detained following a complaint lodged against her for allegedly inciting public unrest.

In a statement issued by the Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, the police detailed that Sidi allegedly admitted to inciting residents to violence during questioning.

According to the statement, Sidi allegedly presented herself as a humanitarian seeking to assist local residents with donations, but later used the platform to incite them, prompting law enforcement action.

The statement read: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force, Sokoto Command, has been drawn to the ongoing falsehood and misinformation circulated by social media handles on the purported story that the Nigeria Police, Sokoto Command, secretly arrested and arraigned a woman who lamented on the recent rise in killings in Sokoto for embarrassing Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto. This is false and misleading.”

READ ALSO:

The statement continued to clarify the situation, explaining: “On the 3rd of November 2024 at 1700hrs, Marafa Yakubu, the village head of Sabon Birnin Daji village in Wurno Local Government Area, reported to the police that a woman, later identified as Hamdiyya Sidi from Munki village in the same local government, had visited the area, claiming to represent a charity aimed at assisting women and youth. She reportedly requested to address women in the community, intending to distribute aid to those in need.

“However, instead of distributing relief items as promised, she began encouraging the women to forcibly seize government properties in Wammako Local Government Area, claiming ownership rights over them.”

Yakubu observed the rising tension among community members and alerted local guards, who detained Sidi and subsequently handed her over to the police. “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the offence and was charged to court within 24 hours for the offence of inciting disturbance,” the statement added.

The Sokoto Police emphasized, “One of our constitutional responsibilities is to investigate crimes, both minor and major, and the case of Hamdiyya is no exception.”

The Commissioner of Police advised residents to carefully consider the information they share publicly, warning against the spread of misinformation that could disrupt the state’s peace.

“Sokoto State Police Command remains committed to protecting fundamental human rights while carrying out its duties,” the statement concluded.

We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

metro

Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

Published

24 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

In a significant development, the Governing Council of Federal University Lokoja has approved the dismissal of four lecturers over allegations of examination malpractices and sexual misconduct.

According to reports, the decision was made during the council’s Second Meeting on Thursday, following a thorough investigation into the accusations that surfaced last year.

Led by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the council commended the university’s management for adhering to due process in investigating the claims of examination misconduct and sexual harassment against the lecturers involved.

READ ALSO:

Ndoma-Egba stated, “The council will not tolerate any unethical conduct in the university” and called for prompt resolution of other pending misconduct cases, particularly one within the Faculty of Science that has gained media attention.

In a caution to staff and lecturers, the council emphasized its commitment to addressing any form of student molestation and urged students to report incidents of misconduct without fear.

Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

metro

BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

Published

15 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

The federal government has unveiled a proposed budget of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

Bagudu revealed that the council had approved the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2025-2027.

READ ALSO:

According to the minister, the government has pegged the crude oil benchmark at $75 per barrel, with an oil production target of 2.06 million barrels per day (bpd).

The budget also sets the exchange rate at N1,400 per dollar and aims for a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.4%.