Friday, March 29, 2024

Police dismiss two traffic wardens for extorting motorist

  • We’ll not allow corrupt practices to continue – IGP  

    ACP Abayomi Shogunle, Head of PCRRU returning the recovered Fifteen Thousand Naira (N15,000) earlier extorted from the complainant by the dismissed traffic wardens.
Police authorities have dismissed two traffic wardens, Musa Muktari GDI (F/No. 394120) and Shuaibu Suleman GDII (F/No. 10627) for extortion and perpetrating corruption.
The dismissal of the two traffic wardens attached to the Wuse Police Division, FCT Abuja Command, from service is with immediate effect.
Their dismissal followed an Orderly Room trial at the Provost Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja, during which both wardens were found guilty of abuse of office, soliciting and receiving a bribe contrary to Paragraph  C sub (IV), (VI) and (II) of the 1st Schedule of the Police Act and Regulation CAP 370 of 1990.)
According to a statement by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Abayomi Shogunle, oMay 30, 2017, a motorist (names withheld) reported to the unit that while driving his vehicle on May 29, 2017 at about 12:30pm along the Wuse Market road, he was accosted by two traffic wardens, who accused him of “beating traffic light” despite the fact that he did not. 
The motorist complained to the PCRRU that the wardens then demanded for bribe before he would be allowed to go, adding that the two men led him to an Automated Teller Machine not far from the scene and forced him to make a withdrawal of the sum of N15,000 from his account, which they collected from him.
He also stated that that one of the wardens forgot his mobile phone in his car.
Following the report by the motorist, the PCRRU immediately launched an investigation and both traffic wardens were identified and apprehended. 
The sum of N15,000 earlier extorted from the complainant was recovered from both wardens with each of them having his share of N7,500. 
The ACP added that both wardens were subsequently defaulted and referred to the Force Provost Marshal Force Headquarters, Abuja, for Orderly Room trial during which all witnesses were called, exhibits were presented and the defaulters (both wardens)  heard. 
The Adjudicating officer found both defaulters guilty as charged and recommended their dismissal from service. 
The statement further said that the orderly room proceeding had been reviewed by the appropriate police authorities and the punishment approved with immediate effect. 
Traffic warden uniforms, ID cards and all police accoutrements issued to the men have been retrieved and all other dismissal procedure completed, it further said.
The complainant has also been handed back his N15,000 with an apology from the PCRRU. 
The statement added that while collecting his money back, the visibly delighted man said, “I never thought this could happen in this country; the officers punished and my money returned to me. God bless the IG. I will go out and spread the news about PCRRU to everyone”.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has commended the complainant for exposing this unprofessional and unacceptable conduct of these traffic wardens.
Idris has also stated that, “We will not allow corrupt practices to continue” and enjoined the members of the public to make use of the PCRRU platform, which is available at all times.
Attached Photos:
i. Standing L-R: Dismissed Traffic Wardens F/No. 10627 GDII Shuaibu Suleman and F/No. 394120 GDI Musa Muktari.
Sitting in the middle – Adjudicating officer during the Orderly Room trial at the Provost Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

ii. ACP Abayomi Shogunle, Head of PCRRU returning the recovered Fifteen Thousand Naira (N15,000) earlier extorted from the complainant by the dismissed traffic wardens.

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