A Mobile Magistrate Court sitting in the Oshodi area of Lagos State has ordered the remand of a suspect, Adetayo Adewodun, who is standing trial for allegedly impersonating officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and conduct likely to breach the peace.
The LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
PUNCH Metro reported on Tuesday that Adewodun was apprehended for impersonating a LASTMA officer for allegedly extorting the sum of N7,800 from an unsuspecting motorist at Itire Junction.
Taofiq had stated that the suspect accosted one Ayano Stephen, who was driving a white Hilux vehicle with number plate GME 259 TE, belonging to a construction firm, for allegedly making an unlawful turn at the Itire junction.
Posing as an operative of LASTMA, Adewodun was said to have deceitfully demanded the sum of N80,000 as a supposed penalty for the traffic violation.
Giving an update on the incident on Thursday, Taofiq noted that the suspect was remanded following his arraignment before a mobile court.
According to him, the suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges pressed against him.
“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has confirmed that one Mr Adetayo Adewodun, aged 47, who was earlier apprehended for impersonating a LASTMA officer and fraudulently extorting the sum of N7,800 from an unsuspecting motorist at Itire Junction, has been remanded by the Lagos Mobile Court following his arraignment on a two-count charge bordering on conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and impersonation.
“The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him by the Lagos State Government, was consequently ordered to be remanded in a correctional facility pending the perfection of his bail conditions, as the matter was adjourned for further hearing,” Taofiq stated.
