The General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olajide Oduyoye, has assured the public that due diligence will be observed in the case of a female officer seen displaying professional misconduct at Aromire Junction, Ikeja on Friday, September 11, 2020, in a viral online video.
In a release by the Agency, Oduyoye disclosed that the officers in the video – Mrs. Adepeju Odunlami and her male counterpart – have been invited for investigation, just as he gave an assurance that appropriate disciplinary action will be meted out on the erring personnel as laid down in the Lagos State Civil Service rules.
According to the General Manager, a statement written by Mrs. Odunlami claimed that the driver of the black Honda vehicle, with registration number SF 885 KJA, ran the red light at Aromire junction and drove without a seat belt.
Giving a further update about the incident, Oduyoye said the lady wrote 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.
While noting that the driver of the vehicle actually committed a traffic infraction, Oduyoye said 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.
“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”, Oduyoye submitted.
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.
