adminreporter
The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service has arrested six persons for allegedly engaging in illegal revenue collection in Oye Utuh, Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects — Christopher Mmadu, Paul Kenechukwu, Emeka Okoli, Livinus Ezulike, Nzube Nnoluka and Anayo Agu — were said to have been apprehended while collecting money from commercial bus operators, tricycle riders and motorcycle riders.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Special Commander of the service, Nathan Obikwelu, said the suspects were arrested for collecting revenue without authorisation, in violation of state laws banning illegal levies on transport operators.
He added that the suspects were taken to the Onitsha Revenue Court after their arrest and were subsequently remanded at the Onitsha Correctional Centre.
Obikwelu said the agency would continue to clamp down on illegal revenue collectors, in line with the directive of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
He said, “The suspects were arrested for collecting revenue from transport operators at the market without the legal right to do so, which contravenes the Anambra State Government law that bans illegal revenue collection from okada riders, commercial bus operators and tricycle riders in the state.
“As an agency, we are assuring that we will continue to discharge our duties in line with the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s directive without compromise.”
He warned others involved in the practice to desist or face prosecution, urging them to take up legitimate means of livelihood.
“Any illegal revenue collector caught in the act will be punished in accordance with the law. The arrests align with the governor’s directive that there must be no more illegal cash collections in Anambra State,” he added.PUNCH Online had reported on January 24 that the Anambra Internal Revenue Service arrested four persons for alleged illegal revenue collection in Onitsha.
Those suspects — Ikenna Udoji, Kosi Iwobi, Chidera Ogbogu and Monday — were arrested while collecting money from tricycle riders near the Army Gate area of the commercial city.
The AIRS said the arrests were in line with the state government’s directive that there must be no illegal cash collection across Anambra State.
