Dipo Olowookere
By Dipo Olowookere
The female official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) seen in a viral video last week having an altercation with a motorist has been invited for questioning.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olajide Oduyoye, confirmed that the woman, identified as Mrs Adepeju Odunlami, was invited as part of efforts to investigate the matter.
It was stated that the ugly incident took place at the Aromire Junction, Ikeja on Friday, September 11, 2020, and according to the traffic management boss, the action of the official was not professional.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, it was explained that Mrs Odunlami claimed that the driver of the black Honda vehicle in the video, with registration number SF 885 KJA, ran the red light at Aromire junction and drove without a seat belt.
She further stated that the vehicle returned through the route on the same day but the driver and front-seat passenger still did not strap their seat belts.
“She, therefore, decided to apprehend the recalcitrant driver for the traffic infraction. This led to an altercation with the passenger biting her finger and the driver punching her head resulting in lacerations which she also said got her enraged,” the General Manager explained.
But Mr Oduyoye noted that, “The LASTMA official demonstrated poor professional judgement as a public servant, whose conduct is the focus of the public, thereby misrepresenting and casting smear on the state government and the agency.”
He assured members of the public that due diligence will be observed in the case, noting that appropriate disciplinary action will be meted out on the erring personnel as laid down in the Lagos State Civil Service rules.
The General Manager said though the driver of the vehicle actually committed a traffic infraction, the LASTMA official should have simply documented the details of the vehicle for action by the zonal authority instead of allowing the issue to degenerate to the level of assault.
He reiterated that LASTMA continuously trains its staff to discharge their duties professionally and will continue to do so, urging members of the public to report all misdemeanour by any officer on Lagos roads, so that appropriate steps can be taken for a more efficient and effective service by personnel of the agency.
