Police Dismiss Two Traffic Wardens for Extortion

Paul Obi in Abuja
The police Tuesday dismissed two traffic wardens: Musa Muktari and Shuaibu Suleman, attached to Wuse Police Division, FCT Abuja Command for corrupt practice.

According to an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Shogunle, “this followed an Orderly Room trial at the Provost Department, Force Headquarters Abuja in 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.

“On May 30, 2017, a motorist, real name withheld, came to the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) FHQ Abuja and reported that while driving his vehicle on May 29, 2017 (12:30p.m.) along Wuse market road, he was accosted by two traffic wardens who accused him of “beating traffic light” despite the fact that he did not.

“That the wardens started demanding for bribe before they will allow him go and they led him to an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) not far from the scene where he was forced to make a withdrawal of N15,000 from his account which he gave to the traffic wardens.

“He also stated that one of the wardens forgot his mobile phone in his car.
Shogunle explained that “PCRRU immediately launched an investigation, both traffic wardens where identified and apprehended. The sum of N15,000 earlier extorted from the complainant was recovered from both wardens (N7,500 each as money had already been shared.

“Both wardens were subsequently defaulted and referred to the Force Provost Marshal FHQ Abuja for Orderly Room trial during which all witnesses were called, exhibits were presented and defaulters (both wardens) heard.

“The adjudicating officer found both defaulters guilty as charged and recommended punishment of dismissal from service. The orderly room proceeding has been reviewed by the appropriate NPF authority 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.”