The Anambra Government has again arrested a fake revenue agent, who specialises in using government receipts to defraud unsuspecting traders at Nnewi Machine Parts market.

The state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Trade and Wealth Creation, Mr. Christian Madubuko who made the disclosure in Awka on Friday said that Ozua’s criminal activity started way back in 2017 adding that his act had hitherto caused a huge revenue loss to the state government.

While saying the suspect had been handed over to the Department of State Security (DSS) for further investigation, Madubuko revealed that some members of staff of the ministry were also linked to revenue theft.

He gave assurance of the State Government’s resolve to fish the culprits out for prosecution.

He said: “The suspect uses government original receipts with a forged signature of government officials, he also specialises in collecting revenue and putting them into private use.

“He intimidates innocent traders and collects stallage and other levies collectable by the ministry without authority,” Madubuko noted.

“The receipts retrieved from the suspect indicated various prices from N12, 000, N36,000, N48,000 to N50,000 per annum depending on the capacity of the traders.

“This type of receipt is all over the market in Nnewi. We saw also that a staff of the ministry counter signed the receipts which prompted further investigation.

“We have completely destroyed our country; we cannot be doing this type of thing and expect government to do magic.

“It seems the people are in competition of who outwits the other in the game of fraud and manipulation. This is not acceptable,” he emphasised.

The commissioner urged the public to provide information on fake revenue agents, adding that government was working towards sanitising its revenue system.

He, however, said the suspect and the affected staff members of the ministry would be prosecuted in court to serve as deterrent those that may be planning such I’ll.

Update news