The Kick Against Indiscipline unit has arrested two of its officials for allegedly demanding N800,000 bribe from a trader at Iddo Market, Oyingbo, Lagos State.
KAI is the enforcement arm of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment meant to ensure compliance with the state’s environmental laws.
The officials, Femi Ajayi and Samuel Awoseyin, were said to have demanded the money from a trader, Alhaji Mohammed Haruna.
Haruna, who was said to be the secretary of the Iddo Outside Market, claimed that the officials illegally sealed up the market’s toilet and accused the leadership of the market for non-compliance with the sanitation law of the state for pecuniary gain.
It was gathered that the traders at the market were unable to provide the money demanded and allegedly begged the KAI officials, who allegedly collected N30,000 from the secretary later.
They were said to have reopened the toilet after the money had been paid.
It was learnt that Haruna subsequently reported the matter at the KAI headquarters, which led to the arrest of the suspects.
The were initially detained at the office of the state Taskforce on Environmental and other Related Offences Enforcement Unit in Ikeja. They were later released to the KAI authorities.
A statement by the Public Relations Unit of KAI and signed by one Mr. Tunde Olusesi, read, “After the officers demanded N800,000 bribe, the trader begged and offered them N30,000 before they re-opened the market’s toilet.”
He said the officers were summoned to the head office after the trader made the allegation of the extortion.
He added that the officials had been suspended for three months without pay, pending the outcome of an investigation into the matter.
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