I had one of those uncomely experiences today in the hands of EDO Lasma if that is the name they go by. it reminded me of those early days of lasma in lagos where the "youth rehabilitation and engagement exercise" of government to create jobs for its youths turned to a new harassing tool in the hands of the boys. typical of the Nigerian police style at check points, they are not for promoting law and order but what comes into their pocket. At ring road today, while veering off into mission road in the normal chaotic artificial traffic jam normally caused by same law agents, a man in uniform runs to the driver side of my car which was being chauffeured by one of my boys and says, Oga why you no drive well? naturally my boy asked what he meant, and he replied, park. to our surprise, another one in uniform comes to the passenger side and forces himself into the vehicle. then comes the charge, Oga you no drive well, we are taking you to our office and the offence is N90,000.00. Just like that? I no jam person, I no jam motor, I no cause hold up but am I being charged and being taken to lasma office for contravening traffic law. Of course we know the normal thing that follows. one tries to first of all to refute the allegation but who sai? that na for yourself. and they start telling you accounts of their previous expeditions, how one pregnant woman was also arrested and paid N40,000. how one lawyer paid so much. in fact how a pastor lost his vehicle to their office when he could not pay the fine and accruing demurrage fines. my wife tried the woman thing, begging almost in tears but that seemed to toughen their heart. she too crossed her heart, and says Oya take us go your office, no be people dey for there. then it came to my mind, an experience I had at Onitsha head bridge when I still had my Mercedes. I said the same thing and followed them to their police station in the view that I will meet people there who would have the human sense to adjudge that my explanation of what happened will outweigh that of the policeman whose case to me definitely looked laughable. little did I know that the guys at the head bridge were working in alliance with those in the office. At the end what was supposed to be a settlement platform was indeed the real extortion center. Now back to my Benin experience, with this hindsight, I had to conjure that part of me that is quite and soft spoken which I begged that God could use to settle the situation. Eventually, I coughed out some dough to the two official lasma robbers who were well sited in my car. We eventually got ourselves free, after spending over 40mns in the haggling. For how long shall we continue like this as a nation? My wife had suggested that we should have gone with them and eventually go to court and I asked which court? She is still feeling very bad. Friends what should I tell her?
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 20:44:26 +0000
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