The
Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) yesterday debunked media
reports that its officers impounded a vehicle belonging to former President
Olusegun Obasanjo.
Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) yesterday debunked media
reports that its officers impounded a vehicle belonging to former President
Olusegun Obasanjo.
An
online agency and a national daily had report ed yesterday that about 10 LAGBUS
vehicles belonging to the Lagos State government were impounded in Ota, Ogun
State and packed in Obasanjo Farms in retaliation for the confiscation of a
sport utility vehicle (SUV) belonging to the farms by officials of LASTMA for
contravening the state’s traffic law, last Friday.
online agency and a national daily had report ed yesterday that about 10 LAGBUS
vehicles belonging to the Lagos State government were impounded in Ota, Ogun
State and packed in Obasanjo Farms in retaliation for the confiscation of a
sport utility vehicle (SUV) belonging to the farms by officials of LASTMA for
contravening the state’s traffic law, last Friday.
Speaking
with National Mirror yesterday, LASTMA General Manager, Babatunde Edu, said
there was no record of seizure of any vehicle belonging to the former president
or his farm. He therefore described the report as unfounded and warned the
public against disseminating falsehood.
He
said: “We don’t have record of impoundment of Obasanjo’s vehicle at all. None
of the vehicles arrested is branded Obasanjo Farms. Most of the arrested
vehicles have registration numbers and we don’t have anyone belonging to the
former president.”
said: “We don’t have record of impoundment of Obasanjo’s vehicle at all. None
of the vehicles arrested is branded Obasanjo Farms. Most of the arrested
vehicles have registration numbers and we don’t have anyone belonging to the
former president.”
Also
disclaiming the report, the Chief of Staff to Obasanjo, Deacon Victor Durodola,
told National Mirror in a telephone interview last night that there was no
truth in the reports.
disclaiming the report, the Chief of Staff to Obasanjo, Deacon Victor Durodola,
told National Mirror in a telephone interview last night that there was no
truth in the reports.
His
words: “The news is a blatant lie. It was the figment of the imagination of the
writers and definitely it is something intended to malign and embarrass
President Obasanjo because none of our vehicles, not even a bicycle had any
problem with LASTMA.
words: “The news is a blatant lie. It was the figment of the imagination of the
writers and definitely it is something intended to malign and embarrass
President Obasanjo because none of our vehicles, not even a bicycle had any
problem with LASTMA.
“They
said we impounded LAGBUS vehicles in Ota Farm, I don’t know where the story
emanated from. People can go to Ota Farm and see things for themselves; there
is no Lagos State bus in the premises.
said we impounded LAGBUS vehicles in Ota Farm, I don’t know where the story
emanated from. People can go to Ota Farm and see things for themselves; there
is no Lagos State bus in the premises.
“Is
it possible for Lagos State not to know that 10 buses were impounded somewhere?
I read the story in a national daily and I was told that some other newspapers
carried it. I called the newspaper’s office and challenged them to provide
whatever evidence they have. I challenged them on what they published about
Obasanjo which has no foundation and they were apologetic.”
it possible for Lagos State not to know that 10 buses were impounded somewhere?
I read the story in a national daily and I was told that some other newspapers
carried it. I called the newspaper’s office and challenged them to provide
whatever evidence they have. I challenged them on what they published about
Obasanjo which has no foundation and they were apologetic.”
Durodola
added that they are likely to take a legal action over the matter, saying: “We
are going to sue any medium that published that report because they have to
prove it. It is a total fabrication. It is a pepper soup joint report.”
added that they are likely to take a legal action over the matter, saying: “We
are going to sue any medium that published that report because they have to
prove it. It is a total fabrication. It is a pepper soup joint report.”
Another
aide of the former president also denied any contact between Obasanjo and Lagos
State officials.
aide of the former president also denied any contact between Obasanjo and Lagos
State officials.
Source:
National Mirror
National Mirror
