By Subair Mohammed

Copyright tribuneonlineng

Chief Magistrate F. Adefioye of the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Oshodi, Lagos, has adjourned further hearing in a case of alleged extortion, impersonation and conduct likely to breach public peace against ‘fake’ Task Force officer, Joseph Unosolease to September 24.

Unosolease was arraigned by the Lagos State Task Force led by its chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, on a three-count charge of impersonation, extortion and conduct likely to cause breach of public peace.

The defendant and five others paraded themselves as task force officers to arrest and extort motorists operating along the Bolade-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos, on the allegation of obstructing the free flow of traffic.

Following a complaint of extortion lodged by the traditional ruler of Otumara, Apapa road and Ojo-oniyun community, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, a crack team of the Task Force swung into action and arrested the ‘fake’ task force officer, who has been charged in court for prosecution.

The charge read, “That on the 23rd of August, 2025, at approximately 1400hrs along Bolade, Oshodi in the Lagos Magisterial district, you conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace and thereby committed an offence.

“That you, on the 23rd of August, 2025, at about 1400hrs along Bolade, Arena, Oshodi in Lagos Magisterial district, did impersonate as a public officer by representing yourself as an officer of the Lagos State Task Force, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 78 of the criminal laws of Lagos state 2015.

“That you on the 23rd of August, 2025, at about 1400hrs along Bolade, Oshodi in Lagos Magisterial district did unlawfully obtain the sum of N20,000 from one High Chief Kalejaiye Kehinde and thereby committed an offence punishable under the state criminal law.”

While pleading guilty to the three-count charge, the defendant claimed he was a LASTMA officer before his contract was terminated in 2020.

Despite his disengagement from the service of LASTMA, the traffic agency called for his service whenever the need arises and that, he said, explained why he still operates with the Lagos State Government uniform.

On his part, Kalejaiye commended the timely prosecution of the suspect while also calling for the confiscation of the towing vehicle, which was used to perpetrate the crime, and the arrest of other members of the syndicate.

He said, “I commend the swift response of the chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, for thoroughly investigating, arresting and prosecuting the suspects.

“This is a testament to the zero tolerance of the Lagos State Government to criminality and crimes.

“Having said this, I want to call for the arrest of other members of the group, particularly those police officers from the State Traffic Department in Ikeja that aided the nefarious activities. The arrested suspect, Unosolease, wasn’t the only person who committed the offence. There are other members of the group who possibly are at large.

“I also want to call for the impoundment of the towing vehicle that was used to perpetrate the crime. This will serve as a deterrent to others who might be considering engaging in such criminal ways of earning money.”

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, due to the absence of some key witnesses, the prosecution prayed the court for an adjournment.

Chief Magistrate F. Adefioye adjourned further hearing and conviction to September 24, 2025.

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