The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday approved the dismissal of an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Onipede Olusegun, from service over alleged extortion. This followed the adoption of recommendation of the House committee which investigated the matter.
Olusegun had submitted a petition to the House protesting his dismissal.
The petition was entitled: “Dismissal from service.”
olusegun 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 he instructed driver of the vehicle in front to move to ease the traffic but refused.
In the petition, Olusegun said he took photograph of the vehicle with his phone after which the bus conductor held his hand and pleaded for deletion of the pictures.
Onipede explained: “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.”
Presenting the report on the floor, Dayo Famakinwa, the Chairman of the House Committee on Establishment, Training, Pension and Public Service, said relevant stakeholders were invited while investigating the matter.
Famakinwa said the committee concluded its investigation and adopted the position of the Civil Service Commission to the effect that Olusegun should be dismissed from the service.
Contributing, the House Deputy Chief Whip, Omotayo Oduntan, said 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 behavior.”
In another development, the House has announced the online streaming of its plenary and other activities live.
Majority Leader of the House, 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.