Oshiomhole Orders Immediate Arrest of State Traffic Officials Over Fraud

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Thursday, February 18th, 2016

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Benin City

Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has directed the immediate arrest of two staff of the disbanded Edo State Traffic Management Agency over fraud.

The Governor, handed down the directives Wednesday when he paid an unscheduled visit to the operational office of the agency in Benin City, the Edo state capital.

AFRICAN EXAMINER gathered that the officials were apprehended in possession of fake and illegal receipts and other incriminating documents which they have been using in defrauding motorists in the state.

Oshiomhole said the agency was riddled with fraud and fraudulent activities, adding that it would remain disbanded.

According to him, “the government had received lots of complaints from both government officials and members of the public concerning the illegal activities and extortion by members of the disbanded agency.

“Our visit to this office has confirmed all the allegations against EDSTMA as we have seen some fake receipts that had been issued as well as a fake list of traffic offences.

“We have also discovered from the responses of some of the so-called officials of the agency interrogated that they neither have employment letters nor even identification cards.

“I want to say it here again that we have since disbanded EDSTMA, hence anybody they stop should take them to the nearest police station.

“We will, immediately, set up a committee that will commence the prosecution of any person claiming to be an EDSTMA staff.”

The Governor however, urged the public not to part with money to any person under the guise of being a traffic manager, insisting that government was poised to manage traffic and not dehumanise the people.

“Government will not accept thuggery in this state, just as government did not mandate the agency to collect any money on its behalf, cash collected are illegal,” he said.

He thereafter, directed that all vehicles impounded by the agency be released to their owners and monies collected from road users be refunded to them with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, motorists and members of the public in Benin City, have applauded the Governor’s action, saying he has demonstrated to the world that he is indeed a man of the people, and abhors corruption.