Taskforce Arrest DSP, Others For Illegal Collection Of Money From traffic offenders
By Dayo Badmus
The Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences has arrested the leader of one of its enforcement team and members for illegally collecting money from a traffic offender.
The Cops were not only arrested but have also been querried officially and would be sent back to the Lagos State Police Command for further disciplinary actions.
Their arrest was sequel to a media report that a certain ‘Taskforce Commander’ made Sexual advances at one Didi Ekanem.
A press statement by Adebayo Taofik, Head, Public Affairs Unit of the Taskforce indicated that immediately the report was out, the Taskforce Chairman, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, investigated the matter.
According to the statement, “Sequel to the report the Chairman of the Agency CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi immediately investigated the matter and discovered that the vehicle (Venza APP 775 GJ) was arrested for driving against traffic (one-way) around Lekki – Ajah expressway by the enforcement team of the Agency on Wednesday, 18 November, 2020.
“The investigation revealed further that the vehicle was impounded and brought to the Agency’s car park at Alausa, Ikeja.
“The Leader of the team DSP Popoola Kayode who is not the ‘COMMANDER’ of the Agency as quoted inside the report collected the sum of N100,000 (One hundred thousand Naira) via bank transfer on his account before he released the vehicle to the owner (Didi Ekanem).
“The leader of the team and members of his team have been arrested and queried by the Chairman, while they would be sent back to the Lagos Police Command for further disciplinary actions.
“The Agency thereby warned motorists particularly private car owners and motorcycle operators to desist from driving against traffic (one-way) as anyone caught would be charged to the Lagos State Mobile Court for prosecution.
According to Egbeyemi “Members of the Public should stop inducing our officers with money and be reminded that both the giver and receiver are liable in Law.
It is only Court that pronounces traffic fines and money paid into government purse”.
The Agency also urges members of the public to always report any corrupt officer who engages in shady deals thereby spoiling the image of the Agency for disciplinary actions.
