By Oluwabukunmi
The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) has announced plans to sanction one of its officials, Mr. Olukayode Adetifa, for breaching the agency’s “no cash” payment policy, even though he has been cleared of fraud allegations that recently went viral on social media.
In a statement issued on Friday, LASAA said an internal investigation exonerated Adetifa of any fraudulent activity in a transaction with a client, MJ Beauty Salon. However, the probe established that he violated official procedure by accepting payment through his personal account instead of the designated government payment platform.
The controversy erupted after a viral social media post accused Adetifa, who works at the agency’s Alimosho Branch Office, of collecting ₦45,000 from a client via his personal Opay account but issuing an official receipt for only ₦7,100. Following the allegations, LASAA immediately directed Adetifa to report for questioning and disciplinary proceedings.
According to the agency, the fact-finding panel visited the business premises and discovered that the client had multiple unregistered signage boards, which had been slated for enforcement. During a follow-up visit, the client reportedly agreed to regularise the signs but requested Adetifa’s help in making the online payment, citing health challenges.
“Adetifa explained that he collected ₦40,000 from the client, which covered the application processing fee of ₦7,140, the permit fee of ₦28,880, and payment gateway charges,” the statement read. “He then processed the payment online in the client’s presence and assured her that confirmation would be sent to her email.”
The business owner later corroborated Adetifa’s explanation, confirming that he took no gratification and that the payment was made transparently. She also apologised for the viral misinformation and distanced herself from the social media handler who originally posted the misleading claim.
LASAA, however, maintained that while Adetifa’s actions were not fraudulent, his decision to use a personal account for an official transaction was a serious policy violation.
“It is glaring that our staff, though not fraudulent as established by the investigation and the client’s statement, still committed an offence by collecting the client’s money in his personal account, contrary to the agency’s policy,” the statement added.
The agency disclosed that Adetifa would face disciplinary action in line with the Lagos State Public Service Rules once the committee’s report is finalised.
Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on financial impropriety, LASAA urged members of the public and business operators to comply strictly with its “no cash” policy to ensure transparency and accountability in all official dealings.
