The Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) has accused a senior aide to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of alleged abuse of office, unlawful detention of trucks, and extortion in the Apapa area of the state.
In a petition dated May 30, 2026, and addressed to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the union alleged that the Senior Special Assistant on Transport and Logistics, Hassan Adekoya, had repeatedly carried out operations that violated due process and threatened the operations of transport businesses within the Lagos ports corridor.
COMTUA claimed that Adekoya had been impounding trucks without issuing prior notices, imposing lawful penalties, or obtaining official authorisation from relevant government agencies.
According to the union, the trucks were allegedly detained for prolonged periods while operators were compelled to pay what it described as “exorbitant and unlawful charges” before securing their release.
The petition further alleged that the latest incident occurred on May 22, 2026, when Adekoya, accompanied by police officers attached to Apapa Police Station, reportedly carried out an early morning operation targeting trucks already in the custody of the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The union alleged that the trucks were removed without any legal backing and had remained in Adekoya’s custody as of May 30.
COMTUA stated that checks conducted with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the police allegedly revealed that the operation was not officially authorised, describing it as a “personal exercise” undertaken by the governor’s aide.
The transport body warned that such actions, if unchecked, could negatively affect transport activities within the ports corridor and damage public confidence in the Lagos State Government.
The union called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene by directing the immediate cessation of the alleged activities, ordering the unconditional release of the detained trucks, and instituting a full-scale investigation into the matter.
Copies of the petition were also sent to the Lagos State Attorney General, the Commissioner of Police, and other relevant transport authorities.
