By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State Branch, has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to sack key officials of the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) over alleged extortion, harassment and abuse of motorists, warning that their activities are damaging the image of the state government.

The demand was contained in a press statement issued in Awka on November 5, 2026, and signed by the state chairman, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme AMBP-UN, and Secretary, Comrade Chidi Mbah.

The organisation specifically called for the removal of Emeka Johncross Okonkwo, popularly known as Konti, Nnamdi Emmanuel Aghadinuno, also known as Ochudo, identified in the statement as ARTMA chairman and Onitsha Zonal Leader respectively, as well as other officials accused of misconduct.

While commending Soludo for what it described as his efforts to restore law, order, constitutionalism and civility in Anambra, the CLO said the alleged conduct of some government officials was undermining those efforts.

The organisation said it had continued to receive complaints from residents over the activities of ARTMA officials, alleging that the agency had deviated from the objectives for which it was established.

“Most pathetic, because of their nefarious activities, Ndi Anambra never makes positive remarks about them. Many now prefer the disbandment or total overhaul of the establishment, as they have drifted and deviated from the good intentions, mission and objectives of its creation,” the statement said.

The CLO further alleged that some ARTMA officials deliberately made themselves inaccessible to motorists seeking to lodge complaints until the affected persons paid what it described as outrageous and unaccounted fees through cash or point-of-sale transactions.

“It is very unfortunate because of their dishonest and unpatriotic behavior they never pick calls to receive complaints until the victim pays outrageous unaccounted fees through cash or POS,” the organisation alleged.

It warned that retaining officials accused of such conduct could undermine public confidence in the government, arguing that the behaviour of public officers directly influences how citizens judge an administration.

“Government is judged by how its officials act and behave. A good government cannot keep bad officials and expect good results,” the statement added.

The organisation also urged the state government to establish a monitoring committee to investigate and check alleged misconduct by officials of government agencies and parastatals.

It called for regular training and retraining of public officers to promote discipline, moral rectitude, patriotism, selflessness and respect for citizens’ rights.

The CLO further appealed to Soludo to direct ARTMA officials to observe their rules of engagement and stop what it described as harassment, extortion and dehumanisation of motorists.

In another demand, the organisation urged the governor to conduct unannounced visits to ARTMA offices in Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, Ekwulobia, Nkpor and other locations to investigate complaints and facilitate the release of vehicles allegedly impounded without justification.

It specifically mentioned a Toyota RAV4 with registration number UMZ 461 MX, belonging to a retired senior citizen, Lady Kate Oguegbe, which it said had remained impounded.

According to the CLO, the alleged activities of ARTMA officials had caused Oguegbe severe health challenges.

The organisation said the situation required urgent government intervention, warning that Anambra’s public image was at stake.

The CLO urged the governor to act swiftly, warning that the image of Anambra State was at stake and that urgent intervention was needed to restore public confidence in government agencies.