DESTMA Demands Retraction, Threatens Legal Action Over Alleged Blackmail
ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) has condemned a publication by activist Zik Gbemre, describing it as blackmail and a fabrication designed to tarnish the agency’s reputation and that of the state government. DESTMA has given Gbemre 48 hours to retract the publication or face legal action.
Gbemre, in a report titled “Gov Oborevwori, Please Stop The Thuggery, Extortion By DESTMA,” accused the agency of extorting a motorist, Kingsley Oghwe, after impounding his vehicle in Warri. He further alleged that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had recruited thugs into DESTMA and imposed daily revenue targets on its officials.
Reacting to the allegations, DESTMA’s Director-General, Benjamin Okiemute, dismissed the claims as politically motivated and baseless. Addressing a press conference in Asaba, Okiemute stated that neither the governor nor the agency had ever imposed financial targets on officers. He reaffirmed DESTMA’s commitment to enforcing disciplined traffic culture in Delta State.
Providing details of the incident, Okiemute revealed that Kingsley Oghwe had violated traffic regulations by driving without a seatbelt and causing an obstruction. His vehicle was lawfully impounded, and he later voluntarily paid a fine of ₦30,000. Okiemute noted that Gbemre published his accusations without verifying the facts, labeling his actions as part of a pattern of falsehoods aimed at blackmailing public officials.
He warned that failure to retract the publication in two national dailies within 48 hours would result in legal proceedings against Gbemre.
