LAGOS TASKFORCE DENIES BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS OVER RELEASE OF IMPOUNDED VEHICLES
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The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has dismissed allegations that its officials collect bribes before releasing impounded vehicles.
The agency’s spokesperson, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, denied the claims in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos.
Gbadeyan said an online report had wrongly accused the taskforce of bribery and shady dealings involving seized vehicles, describing the allegations as misleading and malicious.
According to him, enforcement operations carried out by the taskforce strictly follow the law and established procedures.
“Matters relating to impounded vehicles are handled through due process, with offenders charged to court for prosecution where necessary,” he said.
The spokesperson maintained that the allegations were unsubstantiated and entirely false, stressing that the agency and its leadership do not assume the role of judge in matters involving traffic offences.
He also defended the chairman of the taskforce, Adetayo Akerele, describing him as a seasoned police officer and lawyer known for his integrity.
Gbadeyan criticised the online platform that published the report, saying it failed to contact the chairman for clarification before releasing the story.
He noted that such a step was necessary to ensure balance and fairness in professional journalism.
According to him, enforcement operations are supervised by senior police officers who would not jeopardise their careers for financial inducements.
Gbadeyan suggested that the publication may have been an attempt to pressure authorities into releasing vehicles seized from traffic offenders through criticism and social media campaigns.
He emphasised that traffic offences such as driving against traffic remain serious violations under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 and may attract penalties, including possible forfeiture of vehicles.
The spokesperson further stated that the chairman had only met the reporter once during a briefing at the Lagos State House of Assembly and that no exchange of phone numbers occurred, contrary to claims made in the report.
He also alleged that the reporter had previously misattributed activities of the Bus Rapid Transit monitoring team on the Ikorodu corridor to the taskforce, describing it as another example of inaccurate reporting.
Gbadeyan urged members of the public with grievances to seek redress through the courts rather than attempt to influence officials through personal connections or media pressure.
He also encouraged anyone with credible evidence of misconduct by officers to come forward, assuring that appropriate disciplinary action would be taken if wrongdoing is established.
The spokesperson reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcing its mandate under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018 to maintain order and safety on the state’s roads.
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