The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has not charged any fees in Isolo Local Council Development Council (LCDA) since December 12, 2019, when BusinessDay undercover investigation indicted officials of the state agency involved in corruption.
In an undercover investigative story published on December 12, BusinessDay had exposed how LASAA rates and fees were paid into the Zenith Bank account of Assumpta Omozejele, head of the agency at Isolo LCDA, rather than the agency’s, as well as how the officers of the agency in Isolo LCDA collected cash contrary to what the agency stated on its website.
Traders in Isolo confirmed to BusinessDay that they had not paid LASAA fees this year.
“We have not seen them since the second week of December last year,” said Success, a trader in the area.
Another trader, Charles, was excited that the LASAA officials were no longer harassing them.
“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” the trader, a university graduate, said.
After BusinessDay’s investigation, LASAA summoned Omozejele for punishment.
“The culprit has been summoned for proper questioning and disciplinary procedure. The public should be rest assured that no stone would be left unturned in unravelling these illegal acts,” an earlier statement by LASAA said.
“Members especially of the public must desist from offering our staff and official cash payment. Our Agency operates a no-cash policy. We wish to assure members of the public that the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) remains committed to discipline transparency and accountability in its operations,” the statement further said.
Omozejele was not seen at the LCDA when BusinessDay visited. One official of the LCDA said she had been suspended indefinitely.
The suspension could not be confirmed as BusinessDay could not get Temitope Akande, acting director for corporate affairs of the agency, on the phone.
