Huge Sum Of Money Burnt Inside LASTMA Office, Suspects Arrested

MICHAEL AKINOLA

Top officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Zone 7, Ejigbo, Lagos, may have to explain further why they kept huge sum of money reportedly obtained from motorists inside their office and it got burnt after the building was set ablaze during the #EndSARS protest.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the money in question was reportedly obtained from motorists, who contravened traffic offences and were made to pay cash instead of paying to the Lagos State Government’s account.

The LASTMA management never anticipated that the angry protesters will attack their office where the money was kept. 

There was no official statement from the management over the burnt money, which sources said was probably meant to be shared among themselves before the building was burnt.

The protesters did not only burn the office and the money inside, they looted the place and destroyed other properties inside the office.

The Police at Ejigbo Division have arrested three suspects, Samuel Obi, 22, Joseph Oladapo, 27 and Ikemele Chukwubueze, in connection with the burning of the office including the money.

The Police alleged that the suspects conspired and set the LASTMA office on fire, stole tricycle, burnt several vehicles and official documents and N200,000. 

They were charged before the Ejigbo Magistrates Court for the alleged offence and they pleaded not guilty. 

The prosecutor, Mr. Simeon Njue, asked the Court to give a date to enable the Police to prove that they committed the alleged offence.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A.S. Okubule, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.

However, they were remanded in Correctional Centre pending when they will perfect their bail conditions. 

The matter was adjourned till 9th December, 2020.