For impersonating as an officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court sitting at Bolade, Oshodi has sentenced Omotutu Bamidele to two years imprisonment for impersonation and extortion.
Omotutu, who was handed the sentence on Monday, March 27, 2023, was found guilty for impersonating and extorting money from motorists across Lagos.
Confirming the sentence in a statement, the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA. Adebayo Taofiq said in Lagos that the convicted fake LASTMA Officer was arraigned by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on 2-Count charges of “Did impersonate as a public officer by representing as staff of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (S.78 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015)” and “Did obtain by fraudulent trick (Sec. 323 of the Criminal Law, Lagos State)” before the court.
Mr. Adebayo Taofiq quoted that Magistrate Kehinde Ogundare sentenced Omotutu Bamidele to a 2-year jail term without any option of fine after he pleaded ‘Guilty’ to the 2- count charge levied against him.
Magistrate Ogundare emphasized that the convict should serve the jail term without any option of fine due to the gravity of the offences committed.
The Court Prosecutor Barr. Olufemi Adekunle stated that both offences levied against the convict contravened the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015).
In his reaction to the judgment, the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Mr. Bolaji Oreagba said the judgment was a welcome development as it would serve as a deterrent to others who are still extorting money from innocent members of the public under false pretence.
According to Mr. Oreagba “Our Monitoring and Surveillance Unit which has now been fully restructured would continue to hunt for other bad elements disturbing the peace of the society”.
General Manager, however, urged motorists particularly commercial bus operators to adhere strictly to the dictates of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 and avoid attacking Officers of the Agency.
