Lagos Assembly approves dismissal of LASTMA officer over extortion

Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday approved dismissal of an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr Onipede Olusegun, from service over alleged extortion.

This followed the adoption of recommendation of the House committee which investigated the matter. Onipede had submitted a petition to the house entitled: “Dismissal from Civil Service” seeking reversal of his sack by LASTMA.

Onipede said in the petition that he was on a patrol around Ojota axis when he observed that vehicles were parked indiscriminately at the Bus Stop resulting in gridlock. The dismissed officer said that he instructed driver of the vehicle in front to move to ease the traffic but refused.

In the petition, Onipede said that he took photograph of the vehicle with his phone after which the bus conductor held his hand and pleaded for deletion of the pictures.

“In the process of holding my hand while pleading, a passerby took the photograph and shared same on the social media which LASTMA authority came across and accused me of extortion from a bus conductor.

“All attempts to explain what transpired between me and the bus conductor to LASTMA authority was rebuffed,’’ he said in the petition challenging his sack.

Presenting the report on the floor, Mr Dayo Famakinwa, Chairman, House Committee on Establishment, Training, Pension and Public Service, said that relevant stakeholders were invited while investigating the matter.

Famakinwa said that the committee concluded its investigation and adopted the position of the Civil Service Commission to the effect that Onipede should be dismissed from the service.

Contributing, the House Deputy Chief Whip, , Mr Omotayo Oduntan said that motorists dreaded LASTMA officers so much in the state. Oduntan (APC-Alimosho II) said, “The fear of LASTMA is the beginning of traffic wisdom in Lagos State.

“Now there are many bad ones among them who have become allies with the commercial bus drivers thereby extorting money from them.

“I can recall one LASTMA officer tried to extort money from a danfo driver, but pleaded for forgiveness after I accosted him.

“I think it is nemesis that caught up with the man in question.

“It will serve as a deterrent to other LASTMA officials who indulge in such disgusting behaviour,” he said.

In another development, the House has announced the online streaming of its plenary and other activities live. Majority Leader of the House, Mr Sanai Agunbiade, informed members of the development, and that they should as well inform members of the public about it.

According to him, members of the public can now access the plenary of the house via www.lagoshouseofassembly.gov.nglivestreaming. The House then adjourned its plenary session to Monday.

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Photos: Hoodlums takes over Osodi - Apapa expressway as LASTMA Vehicle kiiled Truck driver (Graphics)

According to reports by @lanreneville on twitter. Between Sanya and Ijesha Apapa Oshodi LASTMA officials with Nigeria Police killed a Petrol Tanker Driver. The lifeless body of the driver whose name is not known as at press time is still on the express way. Area Boys from Ijesha community has since blocked the expressway saying they are await for Lagos state governor.

Eyewitness said the driver was observing his Solat (Prayer) beside his truck when LASTMA & Police arrived. He was arguing with one of the officials when he dragged him off his vehicle, the man then fell off truck and the LASTMA vehicle climbed over him and he gave up the ghost right there.

According to the motor boy Haruna, the LASTMA team and men of Nigeria Police hurriedly left the scene to avoid any mob attacks. Meanwhile the boys from the community took over the expressway burning tyres on the expressway.

Team of Policemen from Ijesha police station visited the scene firing shot into the air but this did not bring any solution as they also left to avoid mob attack. OP MESA team who are across came, showing sympathy, and left after taking report.

Meanwhile the deaceased is still been covered on the expressway with the mat he used to observe solat. May his soul rest in peace. See more pictures below.....

Photo & Report: Enyi-Ora1

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Video: Lastma with Police beat up Danfo driver

This happened, this afternoon at Antony Bus Stop, Government need to do something about this kind of behavior. A Danfo driver due to break down vehicle on the expressway, he decided plied the BRT lane. 

The task force who where around, tried to arrest him but he refused and this lead to vandalising of his windscreens and punctured of the Danfo tyres. Though the driver was smart enough to escape from the hands of the task force while they descended on the conductor of the bus. Watch the full video below.......

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Video: Lastma with Police beat up Danfo driver

This happened, this afternoon at Antony Bus Stop, Government need to do something about this kind of behavior. A Danfo driver due to break down vehicle on the expressway, he decided plied the BRT lane. 

The task force who where around, tried to arrest him but he refused and this lead to vandalising of his windscreens and punctured of the Danfo tyres. Though the driver was smart enough to escape from the hands of the task force while they descended on the conductor of the bus. Watch the full video below.......

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LASTMA official, who slumped on traffic duty, dies

An official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, who slumped while controlling traffic on Ishaga Road in the Idi-Araba, Mushin area on Saturday, has died. According to PUNCH Metro, the official, Kazeem Lawal, was brought in dead to the Randle Hospital, Surulere, where his colleagues had rushed him.

Sunday PUNCH had reported that the official, who was among LASTMA officials on duty for an event at the Chapel of the Healing Cross, collapsed at about 1.30pm. It was also reported that Lawal, who was gasping for breath, was rushed to a hospital after he did not respond to preliminary treatment.

Punch correspondent gathered that Lawal, who was attached to LASTMA Zone 3, Iponri, died on the way to the hospital. The matter was said to have been reported at the Alakara Police Division. One of the colleagues of the deceased, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said, “He was initially taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, but he could not be attended to because of the ongoing strike action. He was then rushed to the Randle Hospital where he was confirmed dead.

“We do not have any insurance policy. We do not have any hazard allowance. It is very painful.
“His family members are in disarray at present. We work round the clock, and we are usually overwhelmed. He must have collapsed from accumulated stress. “Since the government sacked some LASTMA workers last year, there has been a burden on the workforce. Work posts, where seven personnel were handling, have been reduced to one or two.”

Punch correspondent gathered that LASTMA officials, policemen and National Union of Transport Workers besieged the hospital on Sunday. “The whole thing happened so fast and so shocking. By the time they took him to the Randle Hospital, he had died,” another LASTMA official said. The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said he would get back to Punch correspondent on the matter. He said, “I am still awaiting details on the incident. I will call you back when I have them.”

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