The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has arrested 25 Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIOs, over alleged drivers’ licence and vehicle particulars’ racketeering.
A spokesperson for the commission, Azuka Ogugua, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, in Lagos, said that personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and Motor Vehicle Licencing Authority, MVLA, were also arrested.
She said the officers of the Department of State Services, DSS, and FRSC, jointly effected the arrest.
Mrs Ogugua said that the Commission received information that the officials connived with touts to extort extra fees from applicants before their drivers’ licences and vehicles particulars were processed.
“The operation was conducted in Ikeja, Somolu, Eti-Osa, and Anthony Drivers’ License Centres. Other places were Ojo, Oshodi, University of Lagos, Surulere, Agege and Coker centres in Lagos State.
“Various sums of money and several incriminating documents and equipment were retrieved from the suspects during the operation.
She stated that the officials were granted administrative bail by the Commission and would be arraigned in court on conclusion of investigation.
According to her, the exercise will be a continuous one and similar operations will be carried out in other centres to rid motor licensing administration of fraud and extortion.
NAN
