Lagos Enforcement Agency Rejects Allegations of Corruption Regarding Seized Cars

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, also known as the Taskforce, has categorically denied allegations that its officials engage in bribery to release impounded vehicles, with the agency's spokesperson, Mr Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, issuing a statement on Thursday in Lagos to refute the claims.

According to Gbadeyan, an online report had falsely accused the taskforce of bribery and shady dealings involving seized vehicles, which he described as misleading and malicious, emphasizing that all enforcement operations are conducted in strict accordance with the law and established legal procedures.

He explained that matters related to impounded vehicles are handled through due process, with offenders charged to court for prosecution where necessary, and dismissed the allegations as unsubstantiated and entirely false, stressing that the agency and its leadership do not assume the role of judge.

Gbadeyan defended the chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, describing him as a seasoned police officer and lawyer with a reputation for integrity, and noted that the online medium behind the allegations never contacted the chairman for clarification before publishing the report.

He emphasized that such a step was necessary to ensure balance and fairness in professional journalism, and added that enforcement operations are led by senior police officers who would not compromise their careers for financial inducements.

According to Gbadeyan, the publication may have been an attempt to pressure authorities to release vehicles belonging to traffic offenders through criticism and social media intimidation, and he reminded that traffic offences, including driving against traffic, are serious violations under Lagos State laws and may attract stiff penalties, including possible forfeiture of the vehicle.

He recalled that the chairman met the reporter only once during a briefing at the Lagos State House of Assembly, and added that no exchange of phone numbers occurred, contrary to claims made in the report, which he said was not the first inaccuracy by the reporter.

The reporter had previously misattributed activities of the Bus Rapid Transit monitoring team on the Ikorodu corridor to the taskforce, demonstrating further inaccuracies in the reporting, according to Gbadeyan.

He urged aggrieved members of the public to seek redress through the courts rather than attempt to influence officials through personal connections or media pressure, and encouraged anyone with credible evidence of misconduct by officers to come forward.

Gbadeyan assured that disciplinary measures would follow if wrongdoing is proven, and reaffirmed the agency's commitment to enforcing its mandate under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law 2018.