3 Fake TRACE Officers Arraigned For Impersonation, Stealing

Three men, Kunle Coker, Oluwatoyin Abayomi and Hammed Ibrahim were on Monday, arraigned before an Agbara Magistrate Court in Ogun for allegedly Impersonating as officers of Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE).

The trio, whose address were not given, were facing a three- count charge of  conspiracy Impersonation, and stealing.

The court prosecutor, told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 7 2018 along Agbara Junction in Ogun.

According to the prosecutor, the accused persons  claimed  to be agents working for the Agbara-Igbesa Local Council Development Area.

In the cause of investigation, the Chairman of the council, Dr. Olaoluwa Ebenezer Oniyide, claimed that  a halt had been placed on their operation before now.

The accused were apprehended by operatives of Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, Agbara Division, and the Divisional Police Command, Agbara, while the accused were carrying out illegal traffic related duties.

The trio were also conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace by obtaining money with false pretence and embarassing motorist.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the  charges against them.

The offence committed contravened sections 109,  516 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code laws of Ogun 2006.

The Magistrate, Mr B.J Ojikutu, granted the accused bail of N50,000 with one surety each in like sum.

He, however, ordered that the sureties must show evidence of three years tax payment to the Agbara Magistrate Division.

The case was adjourned till July 4, 2018 for mention.

Reacting to the incidence, the Special Adviser (Transport) to Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, Barr. Gbenga Opesanwo, noted that the activities of such traffic officials were illegal and their conduct was an embarrassment to the state government.

“Only the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps and Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, has the legal right to perform traffic duties in the state.

“I hope this will serve as a deterrent to other unlawful agents who claims to be working for Local Council Development Areas, because the case in question will be followed to a logical conclusion, ” he said.