By EMMA ELEKWA, Onitsha

A group of fake revenue agents and market leaders in Onitsha, Anambra State have reportedly been engaged in illegal revenue collection, defying government ban on revenue collection on the major roads in the markets.

The State government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, announced placement of ban on revenue collection, following increasing extortion by gangs from individuals, mostly travellers in the state.

The government said the revenue touts pretend to be agents of the State Government, in their illegal, violent and brazen activities, which have resulted in serious security breaches and harassment of law-abiding citizens.

The Nation gathered that the warning seemed to be flouted as revenue touts were still sited at certain corners areas of the commercial city including the Niger Bridge Head entry of Onitsha from Asaba, near Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu plaque, Relief Market Ogaru opposite Upoer Iweka Flyover, Owerri Road and Obodoukwu road, pursuing motorists with sticks.

A business man in the area decried alleged harassment, intimidation and high level extortion he has been subjected to since August in the hands of the leadership of the Caretaker Committee of Ogbaru Relief Market, led by Mr. Victor Nwawuzie.

In a petition to both Governor Willie Obiano and the Commissioner for Transport Mr. Afam Mbanefo, titled ‘A cry for help on intimidation/illegal levies on heavy duty truck” Ezeifo alleged being harassed and extorted on daily basis at 223 and 240 Obodoukwu Road Okpoko, Ogbaru council area.

He accused Nwawuzie of sending one Nkwa, who has been collecting between N3000 to N7000 from him daily without receipt, but only signed his signature and phone number on a paper after daily collection of money from him.

He said, “The extortion started in May 2020 till date by Nwawuzie’s boys. Between August 12, 2020 to November, 23, he has paid N313,000 to Nkwa, through use of force.

“He has been collecting between N3000 to N7000 from me daily without receipt, but only signed his signature and phone number on a paper after daily collection of money from me.”

He further alleged that his extortion started in May 2020 till date by Nwawuzie, boys, adding that between August 12, 2020 to November, 23, he has paid N313,000 to Nkwa, through use of force.

Reacting, Mr. Nwawuzie denied knowing Mr. Ezeifo, nor sending anybody to collect money for him, noting that he had no right of entry to any private or government park to collect levy.

“I only have right in Ogbaru Relief Market parks,” he said. (The Nation)

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