The Nigeria Police Force has cautioned members of the public against the unauthorized and indiscriminate use of its uniform.

The Police Force gave the fresh warning in a statement on Saturday while reacting to the viral video of social media activist, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, in its uniform.

VeryDarkMan in the video, introduced himself as CSP VeryDarkMan and Nigeria’s number one online police. He said he is dedicated to sanitizing the social media space by using his platform to stand against oppressors, especially online vendors.

He vowed to spoil the names of offenders brought before him with evidence.

Reacting, the Police Force condemned the video released by VaryDarkMan. It also dissociated itself from the pronouncements made by the online activist.

The Police Force added that it has opened an investigation into the circulating video and the source of the police gear, as the unauthorized use of its official uniforms and accoutrements undermines the values and integrity of the Force and will not be tolerated.

“The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns the unauthorized use of official uniforms and accoutrements by an online personality, Mr. Martins Otse, popularly known as “VDM,” in a video posted on his social media platforms.

“The Force unequivocally disassociates itself from this unauthorized portrayal and has launched a full investigation to determine the source of the Police gear used, as well as the authority under which he acted.

“It is important to remind the public that the unauthorized use of Police uniforms, insignia, or accoutrements constitutes a criminal offense, as stipulated in Section 251 of the Criminal Code Law and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law, and is subject to strict penalties.

“While the Nigeria Police Force recognizes and supports the creativity of young Nigerians in the content creation space, we strongly caution against the misuse of Police uniforms or symbols. Unauthorized use of these items undermines the values and integrity of the Force and will not be tolerated,” the statement read.

Olayemi Cardoso, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says consultations are ongoing “at the highest levels” for the country to exit the “grey list” – an anti-money laundering watchlist of the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF).

The development comes 24 hours after the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) announced that FATF had approved the country’s fourth progress report since Nigeria was placed under watch.

The FATF had included Nigeria and South Africa on its grey list on February 24, 2024.

Countries on the list are often subjected to increased monitoring and need to intensify efforts to tackle money laundering and terrorism financing, according to the task force.

The FATF said the inclusion of a jurisdiction to its grey list means that the country has committed to resolve identified strategic deficiencies within agreed timeframes swiftly.

The organisation is an intergovernmental policy-making body that seeks to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Speaking to journalists in Washington DC on Saturday, Cardoso, said removing Nigeria from the grey list has been critical in his engagement during the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

“I would like to emphasise that we are consulting at the highest levels to remove Nigeria from FAFT grey lists, a key topic in our recent engagement,” he said.

‘WE’VE ACHIEVED INCREASED TRANSPARENCY, IMPROVED FX SUPPLY’

Speaking on ongoing monetary policy efforts, Cardoso said since his team assumed office a year ago, there has been a focus on addressing inflation, restoring investor confidence in the financial markets, and stabilising the exchange rate.

He said the apex bank also focused on enhancing financial systems provision, fostering financial inclusion, and enhancing transparency “in our monetary policy decisions and communications”.

“We embarked upon bold and necessary reforms to return to the path of monetary policy orthodoxy, as well as remove observed distortions in the foreign exchange market,” the CBN governor said.

“Our efforts have yielded significant progress as volatility in the foreign exchange market has abated immeasurably, and remittances have also increased significantly.

“We have achieved increased transparency and improved overall supply in the foreign exchange market, leading to reduced arbitrage and speculative activities and eliminated the fund loading of foreign exchange demand.”

On October 8, the CBN reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a stablefinancial system while ensuring the safety of depositors’ funds.

The bank also announced the introduction of an electronic foreign exchange matching system (EFEMS) to reduce speculative activities, eliminate market distortions and “give the CBN improved oversight capabilities to effectively regulate the market”.

The system is expected to be implemented on December 1.

Former Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has accused President Bola Tinubu of betraying him after the 2023 elections in the country.

Dokubo, in a viral video trending on the internet, said he emptied his bank account and spent all his money to campaign for Tinubu in the 2023 election, but the President has now turned his back on him.

According to him, the current Tinubu is not the Tinubu he used to know.

The former warlord vowed that he and his people would not work with the Yoruba people again but would now form fresh alliances with the north.

“From today, I will work and form an alliance with the North. President Tinubu betrayed me after I spent all my money and emptied my bank account campaigning for him. The Tinubu I know now isn’t the Tinubu I used to know. We will take this message across that only the Northerners can work with the Ijaw people,” Dokubo said in the video.

Meanwhile, Dokubo, has recently declared that the people of Rivers State will not surrender to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Dokubo made the declaration during the local government chairmanship polls conducted in Rivers State.

Dokubo also reiterated his support for the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and warned Wike to avoid political issues in the state.

He stated that Wike is nobody without the paraphernalia of the office, adding that Nigeria cannot surrender to him.

“What have we done?” a beggar, Ali Bappa, exclaimed in disbelief when our correspondent informed him about the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike’s directive to arrest beggars in the nation’s capital.

Wike had during the flag-off ceremony for access road construction in the Katampe District on Tuesday threatened a crackdown on beggars.

Lamenting the increasing population of beggars in the FCT, the former Rivers State governor ordered law enforcement agents to start apprehending them from Monday.

“Let me state clearly that we have declared war; Abuja is turning into a beggar city. If you know you have a sister or brother who is a beggar, please, from next week, we will take them away. It is embarrassing that people will come in and the first things they will see are just beggars on the road,” Wike had said.

Not done, Wike accused some of them of being criminals, adding that they had till Sunday to find their way out of the nation’s capital.

Though unaware of the new order, Bappa wondered if any plan had been made to provide them with alternative means of livelihood, expressing concern over their uncertain future.

According to him, begging was never something he took pleasure in, adding that he hated the discrimination attached to being a beggar in the nation’s capital.

He said, “This situation I find myself in is not something I wanted. It can happen to anyone who is still alive. Some people see us coming and run away.

“In public vehicles, nobody wants to sit close to us. You see, there are people who think that just by interacting with me, they will become blind.”

At the moment, Bappa says he and his family rely on the kindness of strangers for survival. With the economy in such dire straits, he fears they may face starvation if no alternative comes their way.

“We depend on what I get from begging. With the current economy, where people are suffering and there’s no food, my family and I will have to stay at home and wait for death because there will be nothing to live on—no food,” he said.

Asked what else he could do if supported, he says he knits well, urging the government to empower beggars instead of locking them up.

“I can knit very well, forget that I am blind. The government should empower us instead of arresting and detaining us. We have many of us who are gifted.”

Unlike Bappa, Safiyanu Bako, another beggar, is aware of the order and plans to leave the nation’s capital for Kebbi, his home state, to continue his trade.

Bako, who has multiple disabilities, believes arresting beggars is far from the right solution, especially in the face of severe hardship he and his colleagues have been experiencing.

He said, “I came from Kebbi to look for a means of livelihood. I didn’t have anything to do, which is why I started begging. I heard the news on the radio yesterday. I don’t want any problems, so I’m going back to my hometown because if I stay here, there will be nothing for me to do.

“I have three children and a wife. Even if I return, I don’t know what I’m going to do. Many of us are willing to work but have no opportunity. If they say we shouldn’t beg anymore, there should be something else in place for us. I am not happy about begging.”

Impoverished by bandits

Once thriving, Muhammed’s life took a devastating turn when bandits kidnapped him and his family.

Despite his visual impairment, the beggar, who was in the Maraba area of the FCT when Sunday PUNCH visited, said he always worked hard within the bounds of the law to cater to his family.

But everything he built was lost—sold off to pay the ransom that secured their release from the hands of the bandits.

“I was a farmer, reared chickens and goats as well despite my condition. I was able to take care of my family before we were kidnapped by bandits three years ago. We spent a month with the bandits because we could not afford the amount they demanded. My people sold everything we had to get us out. I left Zamfara for Abuja to see if I could start my life afresh. But things aren’t as easy as I thought they would have been in Abuja,” he said.

He urged the Federal Government to restore peace in his state, expressing readiness to return to farming if his safety could be assured.

“I am ready to return to my state to start farming again, but it is not safe because bandits are still disturbing us. If insecurity is gone, many of us will go back to our farms. The government should help us restore peace in my state,” he added.

Begging as business

For some, begging has evolved into a profitable business rather than a necessity. This is particularly evident among individuals without any form of disability or visible hardship.

Sunday PUNCH observes that these individuals often position themselves in strategic locations across the city, capitalising on the compassion of well-meaning citizens.

Residents of the FCT say this set of people deserves to be kicked out of the territory.

A resident of Lugbe in Abuja, Philip Anjorin, said those engaging in begging as a business should be prosecuted as well.

He said, “We have a lot of them here. You know, with Abuja being seen as a city for the rich, many of them come here to see how they can make it. They can succeed here if they are creative and hardworking, not by deceiving people into giving them money. Personally, I look carefully before giving anyone my money. Those who beg as a business should not only be kicked out but also prosecuted.”

A resident of Kuje, Joshua Friday, shared a similar view. According to him, corporate begging should be considered a crime.

“It’s not just about individuals asking for help anymore; it’s becoming a business for some, exploiting people’s goodwill. We need stronger laws and stricter enforcement to address this growing issue in our society,” he added.

Wike’s predecessors and beggars

The clampdown that Wike ordered on beggars in the FCT isn’t a new phenomenon; similar efforts have been made in the past.

However, these measures often end in futility as beggars inevitably find their way back to the streets of the nation’s capital.

In May 2016, the immediate past FCT minister, Muhammad Bello, declared war on beggars and hawkers. In September of the same year, Bello banned begging in the FCT. While he was in office, over 200 beggars were arrested and returned to their states.

Under Dr Aliyu Umar, who was the FCT minister between 2007 and 2008, 395 beggars were returned to their states while 113 were prosecuted.

His predecessor, Nasiru El-Rufai, who served between 2003 and 2007, rid the city of beggars and repatriated a large number of them to their various states.

Similarly, under Bala Muhammad, there was a clampdown on beggars. In July 2014, 172 beggars were arrested.

Adamu Aliero, who was the minister between 2008 and 2010, also banned street begging and raised a 150-member corps to arrest offenders.

This suggests that Wike’s actions may meet the same fate without addressing the underlying issues driving people to beg, such as poverty and lack of opportunities.

Begging illegal?

States like Kano took proactive measures to address street begging by enacting laws aimed at curbing the practice in 2013.

In a similar vein, the Lagos State House of Assembly deliberated on the idea of introducing a law to curb street begging during a plenary session in 2023.

However, existing legal frameworks already made provisions against street begging in different parts of Nigeria. Under sections 249(b) and 250(1), (2), (3), and (6) of the Criminal Code, street begging is criminalised in the Southern region of the country. Likewise in the Northern region, Section 405 of the Penal Code also criminalises street begging, showing that both the northern and southern parts of Nigeria have legal grounds to combat the problem.

However, the National General Secretary, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Gerald Katchy, attributed the widespread prevalence of begging to the government’s failure to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities.

He further noted that taking a hardline approach against beggars alone would not solve the problem.

Katchy said, “You are talking about a law prohibiting street begging. Is our government also abiding by the part in the constitution that it must ensure the welfare of citizens?  Their failure has brought about hardship. You can’t have more hardship and not expect people not to resort to begging. It is like beating a child and telling him not to cry. That is the highest form of wickedness.

“The government should look at what they are doing that is making people to beg and not to go hard on people begging. It is not justifiable. People are begging because they have no job to do. Address that and you won’t see people begging. Establish them; create a market for them if you cannot employ them. ‘’

The Country Director of Amnesty International, Sanusi Isa, criticised the minister for criminalising poverty with his statements.

He said, “We believe that the minister should not try to criminalise poverty. That approach is very wrong, goes against the rule of law, and fails to recognise that society plays a role in creating people’s circumstances. Presenting them as a nuisance or as unwanted human beings is unfortunate, and it portrays the government as being unaware of how societies evolve.

“We call on the minister to retract his statements and instead focus on protecting all segments of society, including those he refers to as beggars. No one chooses to be a beggar; it’s not something prestigious that people aspire to. Many people are victims of years of corruption, bad policies, and the rampant misappropriation of public funds that deprived them of protection, leaving them vulnerable to such conditions.

“Rather than resorting to arrests, which solve nothing, the minister should consider establishing a social protection scheme for beggars. If these measures were in place, they wouldn’t be on the streets. What I expected from the minister was an announcement about initiating a social protection program, not arrests.”

Reacting to the criminalisation of begging by both the criminal and penal codes, Isa said, “There are many criminalised activities in the constitution that people engage in every day. Why are we more focused on what the poor are doing? The constitution mandates the government to protect its people. Is the government protecting them? Are people not paying ransoms every day in Nigeria? If we want to uphold the law, we should also work to eliminate the outdated laws from colonial times.

On its part, the Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project threatened to sue Wike if he makes good his threat of arresting beggars.

In a post on its official X handle, #SerapNigeria, on Wednesday, it stated that no one should be criminalised for their socio-economic status.

The group urged him to address the socio-economic rights of marginalised individuals in the FCT.

“The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, must immediately withdraw his apparently unlawful threat to arrest beggars in Abuja or face legal action. No one should be criminalised for engaging in life-sustaining economic activities or because of their economic or social status.

“Mr Wike must address the plight of those experiencing homelessness and those living in poverty in Abuja and not demonise and criminalise them,” the post read.

Multiple calls to the Head of Media and Public Relations at the FCT Social Development Secretariat, Sunday Shaka, on Thursday went unanswered.

The unit, which oversees matters related to beggars, the poor, and the destitute in the FCT, was contacted to inquire about any potential plans to empower beggars in the nation’s capital. But no response was given.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has won all 44 chairperson seats in the LGA election held in Kano state on Saturday.

Sani Malumfashi, chairman of the Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), announced the results at the state capital.

“We are pleased to announce that the NNPP has won all the chairmanship and councillorship seats across the 44 local government areas,” he said.

“The election was conducted in a transparent and orderly manner and we did not receive any reports of violence.”

The process leading to the local government election was fraught with litigations.

On October 22, a federal high court in Kano restrained Malumfashi from conducting the October 26 LG polls.

In his ruling, Simon Amobede, the presiding judge, said Malumfashi was “unqualified” to conduct the elections because “he is a card-carrying member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)”.

The case was filed by Aminu Tiga, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tiga had told the court that Malumfashi; Kabir Zakirai, secretary of the commission; and other members of KANSIEC; were members of the NNPP and do not meet civil service grade requirements for their appointments.

On Friday, a Kano state high court delivered a counter ruling, ordering KANSIEC to proceed with the conduct of the local government poll.

Sunusi Ado-Ma’aji, the presiding judge, ruled that the constitution empowers KANSIEC to conduct and supervise elections in the LGAs of Kano state.

The judgment was delivered following an ex parte application filed by the commission.

Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano state, had said the election would be held despite the court ruling prohibiting the process.

“We have satisfied all the conditions laid down by the law and we have completed all necessary preparations for the conduct of the elections on Saturday. As such, the polls must take place as planned,” Yusuf said.

The governor said “enemies of the state” were plotting to “truncate this election”.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has said he is yet to decide on contesting in the 2027 presidential election.

He, however, added that if he decides to via for the presidency in 2027 no one can stop his ambition.

He stated this in an interview with Daily Trust which was published on Saturday.

According to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum Chairman, he is more concerned about making the party strong and cohesive.

He said: “I haven’t told anyone I want to run for president now. In 2022/2023 I presented myself as a presidential aspirant but didn’t get the nomination. Perhaps that’s why some people still associate me with that ambition.

“But what have I done to cause problems aside from navigating within the Governors’ Forum? It’s a forum of equals, much like the Senate or House of Reps-you don’t make decisions alone, but you do take responsibility. My ambition in 2023 should not be confused with my current focus.

“Right now, my priority is to see the PDP strong and cohesive, capable of producing a presidential candidate who can win Nigerians’ confidence. It doesn’t have to be me-it could be anyone with the vision, energy and national outlook to win.”

He disclosed that many individuals and groups have continued to mount pressure on his to contest for president.

“Of course, if the time comes and I decide to run, no one will stop me. But for now, I’m focused on my work. Many young people and organisations are encouraging various individuals to run, not just me. So, why focus on me? I haven’t responded to any of them. Even when a group came to my council urging me to run, I told them I couldn’t unless one of my political mentors (former President Goodluck Jonathan) steps aside, just as I said in 2023. I’m not arrogant; I’m willing to work as part of a team.

“The presidency is about consensus. No one should think they’re bigger than others. If you can harmonise our vision and lead with collaboration, you can become president. But when people start thinking they’re superior to governors or others, they’ve missed the mark. I’m not bigger than anyone-every PDP governor, even some outside the party, may be more qualified to be president. If they don’t step up that’s their choice. But if I decide to run, with the support of my people in Bauchi and across the country, I won’t fear anyone,” he said.

Controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, may face fresh criminal charges over claims that he served his jail term in a private apartment and bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to drop money laundering charges against him.

Sunday PUNCH exclusively gathered that a panel set up to investigate the claims recommended that he should face defamation and criminal charges.

Bobrisky was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on April 12 for abusing the naira. He was released from prison on August 5.

A few weeks after his release, controversial social critic, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, shared a voice note of a conversation purportedly between Bobrisky and another person, where the crossdresser allegedly stated that he bribed EFCC officers with N15m to drop money laundering charges against him. He also claimed to have bribed officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment. 

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, subsequently constituted an investigation panel, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalena Ajani, on September 30, to probe the claims.

The panel, while presenting its report, said there was no evidence that Bobrisky slept outside the Kirikiri Custodial Centre during his six-month sentence.

Details of the report, exclusively obtained by Sunday PUNCH on Friday, stated that Bobrisky tarnished the image of the correctional service with false claims.

The panel also asked the Department of State Services to investigate whether, directly or through a proxy, he bribed the EFCC or the correctional service.

If the allegations of bribery by Bobrisky are substantiated, the panel said he should be charged with corrupt practices.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service should file defamation suits against Bobrisky under sections 373-375 of the Criminal Code Act for his false claims about bypassing the prison system, tarnishing the institution’s reputation.

“The DSS should be requested to investigate whether Bobrisky, directly or through a proxy, bribed EFCC or NCoS officials. If substantiated, Bobrisky should face charges under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act for bribing public officials,” the report partly read.

The panel also indicted four correctional officers who were recommended for disciplinary action as outlined in the NCoS’s condition of service, civil service, and applicable laws.

One of those recommended for sanctions is a former Controller of Corrections, Ben Rabbi-Freeman.

He was accused of “effecting the transfer of Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju without proper documentation of Form 5 and Form 5A from the Medium-Security Custody Centre to the Maximum-Security Custodial Centre on April 22, 2024, after over four months of the transfer date, and after the inmate had ended his imprisonment term; backdating the transfer documentation in relation to 1a and 1b above.

“Causing the in-charge Ikoyi Custodial Centre, in-charge Medium-Security Custodial Centre, and in-charge Maximum-Security Custodial Centre to sign backdated transfer documents in relation to Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju.”

In addition, the Deputy Controller of Corrections who was in charge of the Kirikiri Medium Security, Micheal Anugwa, who claimed during a parliamentary inquiry that he had not been suspended despite an official order from the Minister of Interior, was recommended for disciplinary action.

He was indicted for receiving Bobrisky into the Medium Security Custodial Centre without the relevant documentation on April 12, 2024, and without the necessary transfer documentation.

“DCC Balogun Sikiru (retd) — formerly in-charge of Maximum Security Custodial Centre for receiving Bobrisky into the Maximum Security Custodial Centre without the relevant documentation on April 22, 2024, and without the necessary transfer documentation, and DCC Sikiru Kamoru Adekunle who was in charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre for backdating the transfer documentation in relation to receiving of Okuneye Idris into the Maximum Security Custodial Centre on April 22, 2024, which was a period he was yet to resume as the in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre.”

The panel further recommended an audit of all inmates and detainees in all custodial centres of the NCoS, their warrants, and other records. It asked that a mechanism be set up to do this and sustain it as an effective oversight weekly.

It demanded “decommercialisation of all welfare and support services to inmates with immediate effect and ensuring that adequate funding and oversight are put in place to ensure the continuation of these. This will also include building sustainable partnerships with civil society organisations (example, with relevant NGOs and professional associations) on some or all of these.”

“Facilitate the effective implementation of non-custodial measures across the entire country to help reduce the number of people in custodial centres by utilising imprisonment only as a last resort,” the report added.

Special facilities in custodial centres

A senior management officer of the NCoS told Sunday PUNCH that what people called VIP treatment for certain prisoners was a special facility that had existed for years.

According to the high-ranking officer, custodial centres have different facilities and prisoners’ conditions (health, age, sex) determine which facility they stay in to serve their jail term.

The officer said, “There are different facilities in the custodial centres across the country, and it is not out of place to treat some of the prisoners according to their health conditions, sex, age, and category of the sentence. Importantly, the prison authority also considers human rights and the treatment of the prisoners.

“The case of Bobrisky is an eye-opener for us. The NCoS authority confirmed that he is a woman from the middle upward, while he is a man from the middle downward. We had never had such a person in our custody, and there is no facility for such a situation. He had to be placed in a separate cell so that he wouldn’t be abused. That facility is what he ignorantly called a private apartment.

“Whether VIP or not, the condition of a prisoner will determine the facility he/she is going to stay in. We can’t put a prisoner who has high blood pressure in a cell without enough ventilation.”

Activists make case for crossdressers

Okuneye’s case has sparked debate on human rights and recognition of crossdressers, transgenders, and transsexual individuals in the country’s laws, institutions, and facilities.

Some activists, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH, argued that the government and its institutions should be aware of the presence of these individuals and make provisions for them.

The activists believe that sexual orientation is part of the human rights to be respected by the Nigerian government.

An activist, Femi Adeyeye, said the Kirikiri Custodial Centre where Bobrisky served his jail term was not befitting of his sexual orientation.

Adeyeye urged the Federal Government to respect the rights of individuals regardless of their sexual orientation. He also called on the government to provide special facilities for transgender inmates.

“A special cell for transgender persons is a welcome development; it’s something the government should look into,” he stated.

Another activist, Michael Adaramoye, noted that the Nigerian society had not come to terms with the reality of a growing transgender population.

However, Adaramoye said, “While we must recognise the right of individuals to sexual freedom, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others, we must also be sensitive to the concerns of other members of society.

He advocated the provision of facilities to accommodate transgender individuals in prisons and cells.

“It is important to note that our correctional centres are organised in a way that dehumanises inmates. Under such vicious conditions, it is difficult for any positive character reform to occur. The prison system in Nigeria is in dire need of deep reform and overhaul,” the activist added.

Also, human rights lawyer, Toyin Taiwo-Ojo, said the Federal Government’s position on homosexuality was ambiguous.

“The Nigerian government must re-evaluate Bobrisky’s detention and consider the long-term implications of their decisions,” she concluded.

Former Real Madrid, Manchester City and Arsenal star Emmanuel Adebayor has described former Nigerian international Nwankwo Kanu as his big brother and best friend.

Adebayor, who wore the No. 25 jersey at Arsenal, during his time said that the Atalanta Olympic gold medalist played a big role in his decision to join the Gunners.

“My idol was Nwankwo Kanu, so signing for Arsenal, wearing his number 25 jersey, and using the same locker as him was, for me, a huge accomplishment,” Adebayor said to BBC.

“Today, he is my big brother and best friend; he advises me if I’m doing right or wrong.”

 

“In 2008, I was unplayable. To be recognised as Africa’s best player was huge – it’s something I’ll never forget.” he added.

A man accused of impersonating an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), has been detained by LASTMA.

This was stated in a statement signed  by Adebayo Taofiq, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA.

“In a resolute operation conducted by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), a man impersonating a LASTMA officer, Mr. Adewunmi Taiwo, age 45, was detained on the Oshodi Bridge.”

“This individual had been posing as an official to intimidate and extort funds from both commercial and private motorists in the vicinity.” the statement read in part.

“Operating a white Hiace Coaster Bus with the license plate KJA 724 YJ, Mr. Taiwo utilised this guise to harass drivers in the area. Upon a meticulous search of his vehicle, LASTMA Officers uncovered an official LASTMA uniform, including a branded raincoat, among his possessions, confirming his intentions to deceive.”

It was noted that the accused who is a married man with three children confessed to misusing the uniform to “extort unwitting motorists, targeting high-traffic routes along Ikorodu Road and the Oshodi to Mile 2 expressway. He further admitted to generating between N15,000 and N25,000 daily from these unauthorised activities.”

Addressing the incident, LASTMA General Manager Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki warned individuals who use the LASTMA uniform for fraudulent activities.

“I take this opportunity to issue a stern warning to individuals who exploit LASTMA’s identity for unlawful gains: any attempt to tarnish the agency’s reputation will be met with the full force of the law as the man will be charged accordingly." the statement read.