The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Mobile Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi has sentenced a fake LASTMA Officer, David Oluchkwu to four months imprisonment for impersonation, and extorting money from motorists particularly commercial bus drivers in Lagos.
He was arraigned on a two-count charge of impersonation and conduct likely to cause breach of peace by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) before the court.
A press statement released by the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, said the presiding magistrate, Adesanya Ademola sentenced the convict to four months imprisonment 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 four months jail term without any option of fine due to the gravity of the offences he committed.
The Court Prosecutor, Agbaje Oladotun stated that both offences levelled against the convict (Breach of Peace and Impersonation) contravened Section 168 (D) and Section 78 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015) respectively.
In his reaction to the judgement, the General Manager, LASTMA, Mr Bolaji Oreagba said the judgement was a welcome development as it would serve as a deterrent to others who are still extorting money from innocent members of public under false pretense.
Oreagba reiterated that the Agency 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 urged motorists particularly commercial bus operators to adhere strictly to the dictates of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018” he said.
