Citizen Ike Ozoh Vs. LASTMA-Progress Update

In law, the fine should not have been paid. Going by the picture, the signage is not visible. This says a lot about our lawyers who are lazy. By the way, LASTMA have no power to arrest any citizens. They can only do so via a police officer who is empowered by the Federal Government and constitution. We need to set legal precedence and show these rogues why we choose to be educated and enlightened. In UK, such an offence will only warrant £30.00.

No 'Traffic Sign' should ever be near a tree!
It is simply stupid not to comprehend that "Trees Grow" and therefore, that trimmed tree will be back in full foliage (and covering the sign once again!), in no time. Then, another citizen Ozoh would be "trapped" by 'egunje-seeking' govt officials and you now have a case of unintelligent people asking sane people to undergo psychiatric test! The real people who need psychiatric test are our politicians, it should be a pre-requisite for obtaining an election form.

In civilized climes, something l know Fashola wants to emulate, signs are clear, bold, unhidden and do not give room for doubts. Where there is doubt, the offender gets the benefit while the govt corrects its mistake. End of story.
I was once trapped by some LASTMA men somewhere in Oworonshoki: The "One-way sign" was deliberately covered with a milk carton! I paused at the junction, not sure if it was a one-way. I noticed the carton of milk, stored its position in my subconscious, without even knowing so. These two LASTMA staff pounced on me at the other end of the road for violating traffic rule and asked me if l did not see the sign that says "one-way". I said there was none. They led me back and alas, a third colleague (now resting with a phone-call merchant right across the road) has REMOVED THE CARTON!!
I flew into a rage as l quickly recollected the position of the carton of milk (which was now under the laps of the third LASTMA guy!). I pointed out to them that the carton was used to cover the sign since that is where it was when l passed and therefore, l cannot the seduced, enticed and entrapped by the same people who are now arresting me!
When l looked around me, (as there was this eerie calm from people living in the vicinity), l could read the glances of a few of them and then l knew for certain, this was a trap! I accused them, rained curses on them and tore the "carton of milk to shreds". They were too dumbfounded to react and l quickly drove away before their ubiquitous accomplice, THE TOWING VEHICLES, arrive for a lock down! It was obvious, from the boos of people that this three have been at it for some time.
You can see Danfo drivers forming three lanes in the presence of LASTMA, FRSC and the police. I complained about this to the officers a few times and what l get most times is "Oga, mind your business or do you want to teach us our job?".
But God help you, a "car owner", if you just do a flimsy mistake, they would pounce on you in their tens, like ants get attracted to honey!
I hear that the Danfo drivers are allowed to do U-Turn in front of the "No-U-Turn sign" or commit any atrocity they desire because, THEY SETTLE these officers regularly, in form of "union contribution".
Two weeks ago, l was passing through Igbogbo town in Ikorodu and a LASTMA bus with about eight officers and about five heavy-duty towing vehicles were held hostage (in the presence of two full load of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) pick-up vans, without intervention!). The allegation was that after "settling them regularly as per agreed payment terms", they still came to tow their Tipper Lorries from their parking lot? Thus they felt this was too much to bear.
I have the video recordings of the melee that ensued before reason prevailed.
Notwithstanding, l have come across wonderful, well blended, polite and helpful men in LASTMA, FRSC uniform.
Governor Fashola must keep a tight reign on some of these agencies, they are giving his govt a bad name, a bad image and Lagosians are watching o.

Wait s minute! from the story I just read, I believe those LASTMen were supposed to refund Ike's money, and then apologise for confiscating his car. But no; That didn't happen because: 1. LASTMEN ARE NEVER WRONG. 2. EVEN IF THEY ADMIT THAT THEY ARE WRONG, LASTMEN MUST NOT APOLOGISE. THEY ARE JUST TOO BIG FOR THAT.
some people say those guys were given too much power But I think the power wouldn't be too much if the officials had the right orientation. you should know this saying: "with great power comes great responsibility" thats where the problem is.
Lagos state does require Iron hands to successfully enforce the law, but these hands should also know when to soften. Some situations require reasonability on the side of the officials, but these guys seem too unreasonable to even TRY to be reasonable. How could you arrest a person for not seeing a HIDDEN sign. thats absurd. in fact it only verifies the allegation that these guys are nothing but God-forsaken thieves in disguise. Although that excludes the dilligent officials because I know they still exist.

I REALLY DO PITY THOSE FEW LASTMA OFFICIALS THAT DO THEIR JOBS DILLIGENTLY (if they still exist). WHEN LASTMA WAS FIRST SET-UP, THOSE GUYS WERE RESPECTED IN EVERY SENSE OF THAT WORD. TOO BAD THEY HAVE MANAGED TO RUIN THAT REPUTATION BY EMPLOYING THOSE OVERZEALOUS-GLORIFIED-TOUTS-IN-UNIFORM. CAN'T REALLY BLAME THAT ON THE GOVERNMENT THOUGH, WHEN RULES ARE SET, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FOLLOWED, SO THE BLAME SHOULDN'T BE ON THOSE SETTING THE RULES BUT THOSE TURNING THEM AROUND TO SUIT THEMSELES. THESE SO-CALLED LASTMA OFFICIALS DON'T FOLLOW THE RULES ANYMORE(I bet they don't even know the rules), THEY FOLLOW YOUR POCKETS AND WALLETS OR HANDBAGS. ALL WE CAN DO IS KEEP SCREAMING THIS ISSUE AT THE GOVERNMENT. I'M SURE THE ISSUE WOULD RECTIFIED SOON. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN VICTIM, I FEEL FOR YOU. TOO BAD!

Interesting to note that the unsuccessful Man Kayode Opeifa is part of the problem. Try reaching him on publicized telephone number 08075005411 and a clown called "PA" answers you and just blabs.......Unfortunate for LAGOS.

Please our able gov. should note that the area boys and girls who were picked from the streets and given the responsibility of managing the traffic situation in Lagos are doing a good job but some among them are actually tarnishing the image of our gov and his team. they hardly give room for warnings, they most frequently set traps to catch road users and then place obnoxious fines for purported traffic offences.

BRF please the authority given to these people is too much; caution should be applied and they should be closely supervised by less hungry lagosians.

I am sue there is a process in place for the re-embossment of your money if you successfully appeal against the penalty, if not then Lagos state government needs to put in place a process of such

Glad to know that we still have a Government of the people, by the people and for the people. If Government can work in Lagos, it surely will work in any part of Nigeria.

Kudos to the senior officials of LASTMA for stepping in and bringing sanity to this whole palaver.

But what happened to LASTMA's Apprehending officers: Adepoju/Mabije and Mr. Ganiyu. Staff Number: 162021, involved in this whole saga? Are they still employed by LASTMA to terrorize and extort other citizens? I think some of these officers should be subjected to psychiatric evaluation before allowing them to serve as employees of the state.

A luta continua against all forms of oppression!

CAN ANYBODY TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH KILLING ANYBODY IN LASTMA UNIFORM OR ANY POLITICIAN? I DO NOT CARE IF THE POLITICIAN IS GOOD OR BAD BECAUSE THEIR AGENTS DO NOT CARE WHETHER I AM GOOD OR BAD. I SEE NOTHING WRONG. ALL THESE GUYS WHO TRY TO MAKE ME OUT TO BE INSANE AIN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET. DEATH IS WAITING FOR THEM.

THE WAY LASTMA TREATS YOU MEANS THAT IT IS OKAY TO KILL THE GOVERNOR, KILL ANY COMMISSIONER, ATTACK ANY REPRESENTATIVE OF GOVERNMENT DOWN TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS! THIS IS NOT PERSONAL VENDETTA! IT IS A LICENSE TO KILL INDISCRIMINATELY! I HAVE BEEN TUTORED ENOUGH!

Mr Datti,before you start blabbing about the law you know nothing about,have all your facts right.You talk like most sensless police men who are quick to tell you "dont teach me my job" when they know nothing!!
With the pictures of the sign post hidden under a tree,how could you still make such comments.
Please just shut up because the more you talk the more your stupidity becomes more obvious just like most police officers!

As far as i am concerned,whatever signpost hidden under that tree is fruadlent!
99% of top government officials including that Ministry of transport spend their vacations outside Nigeria and nowhere in the world is a traffic sign that could attract a fifty thousand naira fine or its equivalent in whatever currency hidden under a tree!
The law is clear for all to see and not what illitrate LASTMA officials claim it is.
That sign is a trap to make money and it is criminal!

I am not surprised, Opeifa Kayode chased a PHD for 17 Years starting from LASU Biochemistry department 1991-199, Unilag to USA before Fashola rescued him to 'come and Chop', It's all about the money. Same thing in LASAA, only the private company of head of LASAA has billboards in Lagos. Tinubu has cornered Inland Revenue, where else would anyone have the money they are spending on Lekki Road .....

The situation in Lagos is really bad. LASTMA, I think was set up for or has become a source of revenue generation for the govt. The agency's main drive should be to ensure smooth flow of traffic within the metropolis, but the standard practice of the agents is to hide behind a tree, in a bush or behind a broken down vehicle waiting for any unsuspecting motorist to err.
@Na wa o: Oftentimes when the officials stop you, one of the first questions they ask is "se yoruba ni yin?" meaning "are you yoruba"? It was set up also to provide employment for the "omo oni iles" and Mr. Ozoh would probably have had a better deal if he could rap some ngbati. I hate to sound like this but that is the ugly truth.
The problem of leadership in the country persists. When a leader stipulates such fines for offences that ordinarily people would not commit if not for the poor road situation in the state, you begin to wonder. Will improvement of road networking not improve traffic flow and discourage violations?

My question are, is there really a traffic offence that carries a =N= 50,000 fine? If yes, is it a different fine if the same offence is committed and one is caught by a road safety official... How can there be two different penalties for the same offence in the same state and country....

Is that the best those LASTMA folks could do? Admit guilt and still penalize! Truly Pathetic. In this modern time, how can one imagine a road safety sign under a tree? The head of LASTMA should bury his head in SHAME. He's a disgrace, nonentity, lacks necessary exposure to keep the office and should be replaced forthwith.

Mr. Ike Ozoh should immediately proceed to the courts for justice except he's been secretely settled.

Is that the best those LASTMA folks could do? Admit guilt and still penalize! Truly Pathetic. In this modern time, how can one imagine a road safety sign under a tree? The head of LASTMA should bury his head in SHAME. He's a disgrace, nonentity, lacks necessary exposure to keep the office and should be replaced forthwith.

Mr. Ike Ozoh should proceed immediately to the courts except he's been secretely settled!

u must be a LASTMA Staff or an agent of d establishment.very rude and stupid response . people like you are hired guns.stay away from this forum

It was very obvious that you would pay and I know that by now you must have paid the demurrage on your car - parking was not free! Your so called drivers were after thoughts; they were never pleaded upfront and in order to limit your shame of paying (you never wanted to pay ab initio) you can up with funny objectives for your actions. I know Chief Idigbe very well and he would have advised you to pay because you were clearly in the wrong! You wanted to play the hero but ended up as a villain, the law is no respecter of anybody. I wrote all this because I am convinced beyond all reasonable doubts that you were wrong and the law must take its course. I however know that LASTMA, like the police has its own excesses. Its the excesses that must be brought to the attention of the public and the authorities for solutions. Where a citizen contravenes the law, he must be made to bear the full weight of the law, no sacred cow. You can not campaign from the position of weakness, you are morally depraved to lead this type of assault on another depraved organization. Think of it, if you were right it would be very difficult to nail you this easily; this case is different from the issue of traffic lights where it's your words against that of the police or LASTMA. Have you been to Ikeja lately? Please avoid Obafemi Awolowo Way at the Allen roundabout, the traffic lights there are many and the policemen there are very good at extortion. By the way, which Psychiatrist did you see at Yaba? I hope you are not diagnosed as being schizophrenic!

I throw in my lot entirely with Walesmann. I am a very sad man indeed this morning as I write. I didn't know that Governor Fashola is such a tyrant and wicked oppressor.

The trimming of the tree is a priori admission that indeed it covered the so-called signage and made it difficult for motorists to see. That should have been followed naturally with an apology to the young man and an unconditional release of his impounded car. The LASTMA officials who attempted to extort money from the man will be gloating and congratulating themselves for coming out of all this smelling of roses.

If I may ask, what was the contribution of Mr. Patrick Adenusi whose name I can easily recognise because of his regular contributions on Star FM? What did Idigbe SAN do to protect Citizen Ozoh from this humiliation in the hands of the Lagos Emperor?

Let me end by saying loud and clear that the unintended message being conveyed to the suffering people of Lagos by the very same man who should protect us from overzealous uniformed men is that it is better to meet their extortion terms and walk away than insist on pursuing your rights. To that extent Idigbe SAN of Punuka chambers and all who pushed Citizen Ozoh down this humiliating road should go and hide their ugly faces in shame.

The evils that we do today will eventually rise up to consume us.

It is painful each time you see or hear the way and manner this govt that is claiming over performance treats the citizens. If we are to be sincere, the only different between Tinubu and Fashola is that the former could not unleash the reign of terror on the citizens while Fashola can do it and still get applauded by the press. Many atimes, I have come accross Opeifa and I concluded that if this guy is representing this govt, we are in for real trouble, this case has strenghen my belief more about that. Just wait till second term, you will see more

That trimming is a farce.that signage should be taken away to a more open place not around that tree.The NGO's that intervened should endeavor to help him get back his money.50k is a lot of money in Nigeria.The guys named in the initial petition are left of the hook for extortion abi?????Extortion still continues.A lot that have no voice will still fall prey to these tigers on lagos roads.That is our main concern.oshodi sector is where this LASTMA boys have field day.God save the poor and the voiceless in lagos.Thousands of chained buses and molues are in LASTMA yard in Oshodi.Who will talk for the voiceless and honest business people groaning under LASTMA illegal toll operators in Oshodi,mile 2 ans other notorious zones??????????

FOR THOSE THAT SAID MR OZOH WAS WRONG IN THE FIRST WRITE UP SHOULD JUMP IN THE SEA COSS THEY CANT WIN ANY THING ON EARTH HERE ESPECIALLY IN NIGERIA THEY ARE COWARDS

@Udu Mrakpor wrote "It appears Citizen Ike Ozoh is yet to pick his car 7days after he has paid N50k and undergone a most humiliating psychiatric evaluation. Why in the name of all that is sacred is this young man's car still in the hands of LASTMA?"

The above aptly captured the underlying reason for the sudden volte-face exhibited by Ike Ozor.

The full force of government's tyranny was brought to bear on the young man to exact a near-apologetic statement from him. These were all obvious in the genuflectic submissions he made above. How dare he expose the emperor to public embarrassments? He must be made to pay for this.

His phone was bombarded with all manner of calls from faceless people . He was threatened . He was frightened , and the condition was made : YOU MUST BE HUMILIATED AS WELL BEFORE WE RETURN YOUR CAR .

You must go for the psychiatric evaluation, and send a retraction of your earlier statements. Ensure you use your hands to paint the Government in better lights. The emperor must be obeyed.

Have they released his car yet ? How can ? Not until he has paid all manner of Lagos state Government taxes! I have followed this case very closely , and I can attest to it that as at this moment , his car is yet to be released to him. This young Nigerian has been embarrassed , traumatised and humiliated by agents of a so called humane and performing Governor.

Fellow citizens, this is a very sad situation. It could be anybody's turn tomorrow, hence I do not think we should stop until the Government or its agent has apologised for this misconduct. They also need to refund whatever has been wrongfully collected from him. Every bit. This would go a long way in redeeming whatever is left of this Government's dignity

@Udu Mrakpor wrote "It appears Citizen Ike Ozoh is yet to pick his car 7days after he has paid N50k and undergone a most humiliating psychiatric evaluation. Why in the name of all that is sacred is this young man's car still in the hands of LASTMA?"

The above aptly captured the underlying reason for the sudden volte-face exhibited by Ike Ozor.

The full force of government's tyranny was brought to bear on the young man to exact a near-apologetic statement from him. These were all obvious in the genuflectic submissions he made above. How dare he expose the emperor to public embarrassments? He must be made to pay for this.

His phone was bombarded with all manner of calls from faceless people . He was threatened . He was frightened , and the condition was made : YOU MUST BE HUMILIATED AS WELL BEFORE WE RETURN YOUR CAR .

You must go for the psychiatric evaluation, and send a retraction of your earlier statements. Ensure you use your hands to paint the Government in better lights. The emperor must be obeyed.

Have they released his car yet ? How can ? Not until he has paid all manner of Lagos state Government taxes! I have followed this case very closely , and I can attest to it that as at this moment , his car is yet to be released to him. This young Nigerian has been embarrassed , traumatised and humiliated by agents of a so called humane and performing Governor.

Fellow citizens, this is a very sad situation. It could be anybody's turn tomorrow, hence I do not think we should stop until the Government or its agent has apologised for this misconduct. They also need to refund whatever has been wrongfully collected from him. Every bit. This would go a long way in redeeming whatever is left of this Government's dignity.

Ladies and gentlemen, please under what law is the Lagos state govt charging 50k for passing through a one way road?. Is that law not draconian?. Should the charge not be more affordable?, how many people can afford 50k for this?. And is this not a violation of fundamental human rights to subject someone saner that most govt and LASTMA officials to a psychiatric test? Are laws not meant to be humane?. Lagos state needs to review this barbaric law. Reminds me of the military givt.

This is why I say we should stop being so quiescent about the inequities in the system. Even if a government is deaf and wicked no government can stand being embarrassed and dragged though the courts and they would go quite a distance to avoid such a fate.

I still say the victims of the Shangisha bridge disaster should file a multi billion naira class action lawsuit against the IGP and the FG. I am sure enough SANs would line up to give pro bono service and I would be happy to contribute financially to such an effort. We must kick them where it hurts. We must holler until they let us go. Change can actually be less bloody than ‘revolution’ where the ‘internet warriors’ will be turned to refugees while the agberos and okada riders become warlords. Pls watch videos of the Liberian, Rwandan, Congolese etc tragedies to see how these affairs turn out.

Abraham Idowu

It appears Citizen Ike Ozoh is yet to pick his car 7days after he has paid N50k and undergone a most humiliating psychiatric evaluation. Why in the name of all that is sacred is this young man's car still in the hands of LASTMA? Is there an unstated condition that Citizen Ozoh is yet to fulfil? How come we have allowed our government and its officials to treat the rest us as if we are the citizens of a conquered territory?

I cannot agree more with COBOS; Bring Citizen Ozoh's ordeal to an end by the immediate release of his car. He does deserve an apology with the refund of all the monies he has expended on this unfortunate incidence.

Let me end by saluting Mr Ozoh's resilience and courage in this incidence. You have been a great inspiration to all us. Many more of us should emulate this initiative, that's the only way we can create the kind of society we all desire

This temporary solution is exactly what is it - temporary. Signs should be more visible. I would expect to see at the entrance of a one way street, 'no entry' signs on either side of the road, at the start of the road. In addition, road markings should be introduced as an added measure. Only then would I accpet that fines are justly given. Fines are meant to deter road traffic indiscipline. It should not be seen as a money generating venture by the traffic enforcement agency.

And hope you get back the money you paid as fine including cost of phychiatric test, phone calls, wasted time and other expenses incurred both physically and phychologically during the whole incidence. Also remember to ask for a written letter of apology for the wrongs.

If the society is truely civic and civilised, these are what should be done.  Or have I asked for too much on behalf of the complainant?