Truck Owner Accuses Oyo Road Traffic Agency Of Extortion Over Faulty Vehicle (Photos)
A Nigerian truck owner has made accusations sgaint officials of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) at Ajegunle.
He accsed them of extorting money from truck drivers whose vehicles developed faults and were temporarily parked off the road.
Speaking to SaharaReporters, the truck owner narrated how a blue Iveco tractor-trailer with registration number C2322LA (Lagos) developed a mechanical fault and was parked in front of a residential house with the property owner’s permission.
One of the residents, Dr. Mabayoje, confirmed the incident and expressed concern over the conduct of the traffic authorities.
“The trailer’s rearmost axle had issues, and the driver and his staff approached us to request permission to park temporarily and carry out repairs. Since the vehicle couldn’t move, I allowed them to use the recess area in front of my gate. I even offered them cold water or any help they might need,” Mabayoje told SaharaReporters.
However, according to him, things quickly took a different turn when officers of OYRTMA arrived.
“They asked what the truck was doing there, and the drivers explained the situation. But the officer demanded a N30,000 bribe and seized a crucial part of the hub that was being repaired until the money was paid. My security guard overheard and witnessed this and reported it to our senior security guard, who then informed me,” Mabayoje recounted.
He added, “They were taken to the OYRTMA office at Ajegunle, Oyo. I personally spoke to a man named Segun, who identified himself as the Public Relations Officer. They are now demanding either a N50,000 or N100,000 bribe. The repair work on the truck has since stopped because of the confiscated part.”
According to him, the trailer has been blocking access to the eastern entryway of his premises due to the halted repairs.
He also claimed that the managing director of the logistics company was present in the vehicle’s back compartment during part of the ordeal and later confided in him.
“The MD told me he witnessed OYRTMA officers collecting over N400,000 in cash within two hours. He said the office collects no less than N1 million in bribes every 4–6 hours. He spent two hours with me afterward, and my ears were full,” Mabayoje said.
When contacted by SaharaReporters, Major Adekoya Adesagba (Rtd.), Chairman of OYRTMA, denied the allegations of extortion and bribery.
He said the vehicle was fined for obstructing a narrow, single-lane carriageway without warning signs.
“The road is a single-carriageway with a bend, and the way the vehicle was parked was extremely dangerous. There were no caution signs to indicate the vehicle had broken down, which could have caused a serious accident. That was why the vehicle was booked for obstruction,” Adesagba said.
He denied that any cash was collected by OYRTMA officials, insisting that the N50,000 fine was paid into the state government’s treasury and that a receipt was issued to the driver.
“The vehicle was partially on the road and partially off it. It had no number plate when our officers arrived. The fine was for obstructing the highway, and payment was made to the government, not our staff. There was no extortion or bribery involved,” he stated.
Adesagba further claimed the vehicle was not parked in front of any house as alleged, but rather across from a farm.
“That stretch of road is narrow, and there is no way you can park a vehicle there without obstructing traffic,” he added.
