The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has announced that an internal investigation has proven that a staff member wasn’t guilty of a fraudulent transaction allegation that recently went viral on social media. LASAA, however, revealed that the worker will still face disciplinary action for violating the agency’s strict “no cash” policy and using a personal account for a transaction.
In a press statement, the agency narrated that the controversy started with a social media post alleging that a LASAA staffer, Olukayode John Adetifa, had wrongfully collected ₦45,000 from a client, MJ Beauty Salon, via his personal Opay account but only issued a receipt for ₦7,100.
After the saga went viral, LASAA acknowledged the serious allegation and immediately ordered Mr Olukayode, who is deployed to the Alimosho Branch Office, to report for an immediate investigation and disciplinary proceedings.
The agency has always maintained that all payments must be made only via officially designated government channels and reiterated its commitment to transparency.
Investigation by LASAA’s disciplinary panel, which included a visit to the business owner, shed more light on what the issue is.
Olukayode John Adetifa told the panel that the business had several unregistered signs and was slated for enforcement, and during a final visit to aid registration, the client, MJ Beauty Salon, agreed to pay.
According to him, the client claimed she was feeling unwell and offered him cash, but he declined.
The client then asked for his help to make the official online payment, to which he obliged in an effort to secure the long-overdue income.
He received ₦40,000 from the client, which he stated covered the full fees for the t3 signs: the Application Processing Fee of ₦7,140, the Permit Fee of ₦28,880, and payment gateway charges.
He then registered the signs online in front of the client, assuring her she would receive the official notification by email.
Mr Adetifa also disclosed that he received threatening messages later regarding the payment balance.
The owner of MJ Beauty Salon has since confirmed this version of events to the LASAA Management team, admitting that she didn’t know about the viral post before apologizing for the misunderstanding.
She stated that Olukayode John Adetifa did not collect any gratification and completely dissociated herself from the X (formerly Twitter) handler who twisted the story.
Despite ensuring Mr Adetifa is cleared of fraudulent intent, LASAA insisted that he still committed a serious offence.
“It is glaring that our Staff, though, has no fraudulent intent as seen from his explanation and that of the client, he has still committed an offence by collecting the client’s money in his personal account contrary to the Agency’s policy,” the management read.
Adetifa will be punished according to the Public Service Rules as soon as the disciplinary committee’s report is concluded.
Urging Nigerians to always follow due process, specifically the “no cash policy or payment to personal account for no reason,” the agency noted that its processes are self-service, seamless and automated.
LASAA noted that the agency does not have any agents, stressing that clients should learn to transact directly via the official website.
The agency concluded by asking members of the public to only report genuine issues and avoid spreading false information that undermines government services.
