Lockdown: Ogun state traffic agency warns staff against extortion for motorists free passage

The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, (TRACE)  is set to  commence the prosecution of any of its operative guilty of extortion and corrupt practices, following increasing rate of suspected extortion within and among field officials in the wake of lockdown.

Penpushing reports that, the  Corps Commander/Chief Executive, of the agency  ‘Seni Ogunyemi, made this known in a statement, adding that attention of the management has been drawn to the increasing rate of suspected extortion within and among field commanders and operatives.

The statement said it  has equally observed  a decoy to allow people in transit free passage on inter-state and borderline routes, which is against the new transport guidelines of the Federal and State Governments, in its onerous endeavour to curb the spread of the COVID 19 Pandemic.

‘This warning has become imperative for perpetrators to desist from the act as the State Government is ready to apply appropriate sanctions through relevant sections of the Anti-Graft Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and TRACE Corps Law’, Ogunyemi declared.

Penpushing further reports that, the agency boss warned members of the public, particularly motorists to desist from offering bribes or any form of gratifications to any of the operatives either on field or office

‘The general and motoring public is hereby urged to desist from giving TRACE operatives any form of gratification except payment for  traffic infraction(s) which should be paid to Government Treasury through designated banks’.

‘Area Commanders, Corridor Commanders, Divisional Commanders, Head of Operations, Patrol Team Leaders, Special Squad Leaders and Field Operatives are hereby cautioned for the last time against such shameful act or face the full weight of the law’, the statement emphasied.