Lagos, Oct. 25, 2025 – The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) says it will impose sanctions on Olukayode John Adetifa, a member of staff, for violating the agency’s ‘no cash’ policy and use of personal account for official transaction.
It said the sanction would be imposed on the staff in spite of his exoneration by an internal investigation over an alleged fraudulent transaction that went viral on social media recently.
According to a statement from the agency, the controversy began with a social media post alleging that Adetifa had improperly collected ₦45,000 from a client, MJ Beauty Salon, via his personal Opay account, but only issued a receipt for ₦7,100.
Following the initial outcry, LASAA issued a press statement acknowledging the serious allegation and immediately directing Adetifa, who is deployed to the Alimosho Branch Office, to report for an immediate investigation and disciplinary proceedings.
The agency emphasized that all payments must be made only through officially designated government channels and reiterated its commitment to transparency.
The subsequent fact-finding by the agency’s disciplinary panel, which included a visit to the business owner, painted a complex picture of the transaction.
Adetifa explained to the panel that the business had multiple unregistered signs and was slated for enforcement.
During a final visit to encourage registration, the client, MJ Beauty Salon, agreed to pay.
She claimed she was feeling unwell and offered him cash, which he declined.
The client then requested his assistance to make the official online payment, to which he obliged in an effort to secure the long-overdue revenue.
He collected ₦40,000 from the client, which he said, covered the full fees for the three 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 the client’s presence, assuring her she would receive the official notification by email.
Adetifa also reported receiving threatening messages later regarding the payment balance.
The owner of MJ Beauty Salon subsequently confirmed this version of events to the LASAA management team, admitting that she was unaware of the viral post and apologised for the misunderstanding.
She, particularly, said Adetifa did not collect gratification and disassociated herself from the X, formerly Twitter, handler account which misrepresented the story.
Despite clearing Adetifa 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 client’s money in his personal account contrary to the Agency’s policy,” the management stated.
LASAA said Adetifa would be dealt with in accordance with the Public Service Rules upon the conclusion of the disciplinary committee’s report.
It urge the public to always follow due process, specifically the “no cash policy or payment to personal account for no reason” as the agency’s processes are self-service, seamless and automated.
LASAA reiterated that it hasn’t agents and implored clients to transact directly via the official website and urged the public to report genuine issues responsibly, while warning against spreading false information that undermines government services.
