A 45-year-old man, Adetayo Adewodun, has been remanded by a Mobile Court in Lagos for allegedly impersonating an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and extorting money from motorists around the Itire Junction area.
Adewodun, who was reportedly making up to N65,000 daily through the illegal activity, was arraigned on a two-count charge of impersonation and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges filed by the Lagos State Government and was remanded in a correctional facility pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
The court adjourned the case for further hearing.
The suspect was arrested two days prior by LASTMA’s Surveillance and Intelligence Unit during a targeted enforcement operation initiated by the agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki.
Investigations revealed that Adewodun, along with two accomplices still at large, stopped a motorist, Ayano Stephen, who was driving a white Hilux vehicle with registration number GME 259 TE.
Disguised as a LASTMA official, the suspect accused the driver of making an illegal turn and demanded a fine of N80,000.
The victim, who only had N7,800 in cash, reportedly handed it over before the suspect was apprehended by authorities.
Reacting to the incident, Bakare-Oki commended the swift legal response, describing the court’s decision as “a welcome and commendable step toward ensuring justice.”
He noted that the remand order would deter others from impersonating traffic officials, while reaffirming LASTMA’s commitment to maintaining order and protecting law-abiding road users from extortion and harassment.
