By Our Reporter
A Chief Magistrate Court, sitting in Ugbenu, Awka North Local Government Area has remanded in prison custody, six suspected illegal revenue collectors who were arrested by the Anambra Internal Revenue Service, AIRS for illegal revenue collection.
The six suspects were arraigned for alleged diversion of taxes, levies and other revenue windows against the will of the state government. The suspects were court in the act as they were collecting money from commuters without commensurate return to government treasury.
Citypost gathered that in a case file with suit number MUG/AIRS/01c/2023, the Commissioner of Police accused Mr. Willie Anozie from Ogbaru of illegal collection of taxies, levies and other revenues on 19th July, 2023, an offence punishable under section 60 and 61 of Anambra Revenue Administration Law 2010.
Also accused for complicity in financial misconduct were Messrs. Obi Chigbata from Uzo-Uwani in Enugu State, Nnamdi Okoye, Chidera Okoye, Ikenna Okechukwu, all from Omor, and Moses Ikwunne from Omasi Agu all in Ayamelum Local Government of Anambra State for conspiracy to illegally collect taxes, levies and other revenue.
The defendants were remanded at Awka Correctional Centre while the case was then adjourned till 31st August 2023 for ruling on bail application, after the charges were read and their responses heard.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Operations Department Of AIRS, Dr Christian Madubuko described the arrest and prosecution of the suspects as a warning to prospective corrupt revenue agents still operating in some parts of the state.
He insisted on the agency’s resolve to sanitize the internal revenue system of Anambra State which is in line with the governor’s objective of providing a livable homeland for Ndi Anambra.
