BY CHUKWUEBUKA OHIZU
The Ariaria Stakeholders Forum (ASF) have frowned at what it called unlawful and improper action taken by Mr Timothy Kalu, Local Government Chairman (Mayor) of Aba North Local Government Area (LGA).
The stakeholders in a statement signed by Chief Emmanuel Chukwudi, Chairman and Chief Boniface Kalu, Secretary said that the Mayor used soldiers to illegally arrest the market revenue collector approved by Abia State Government.
They said that, Mr Benedict Elias, Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures Nigeria, who is the duly appointed Revenue Agent of Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) was detained by the Mayor’s order over revenue collection at Ariaria.
The stakeholders said that the Aba North Mayor had attempted to unlawfully assume control over the revenue collection operations at the Ariaria Market, which is under the jurisdiction and authority of the Abia State Government.
They lamented that as against the action of the Mayor, the Abia State BIRS is saddled with the responsibility of revenue collection in the said market.
The stakeholders said that the Aba North Mayor has no authority to interfere with or take control of the revenue collection process that falls under the remit of the State Government market.
“However, despite this, the LG Chairman Mr Iheke had unlawfully and wrongfully used soldiers who before now have been banned by the appreciate authorities from engaging in such illicit activities to unlawfully arrest with no warrant of arrest and illegally detain Mr. Benedict Elias with no detention order at Central Police Station (CPS) Umuahia for two days over false and baseless allegations,” they said.
The stakeholders said that Iheke accused Elias of impersonation and of being a fake revenue agent, charges they said are entirely unfounded and baseless.
“We would like to emphasize that Mr. Benedict Elias was legally and duly appointed on 13 September 2024 to 31 January 2025 by the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, and was fully authorized to carry out revenue collection and enforcement duties at the Ariaria market which he stopped collection of any revenue at the expiration of the said contract with the state government.
“His appointment letter and identification as a state revenue agent were in full compliance with the law and can be verified by the relevant authorities.”
They said that the actions taken by the Mayor and his unauthorized use of soldiers to arrest a legitimate state revenue agent are highly concerning and represent an overstep of authority.
The stakeholders said that this interference not only disrupts the lawful revenue collection process but also undermines the authority of the State Executive Governor, Dr Alex Otti, on which Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service is working for.
The stakeholders claimed that the Board Chairman of BIRS had frequently warned the Mayor to desist from harassing Elias and his team, who are bonafide Abia State revenue agent in Ariaria market to no avail.
“As Stakeholders of Ariaria International Market, which most of our members have been doing business in the market for over 40 years, we know Mr. Benedict Elias and he has never been involved in any form of illegality or any questionable acts. He is a man of integrity and uprightness.
“We respectfully request that an immediate investigation be initiated into the actions of the Local Government Chairman, Mr Timothy Iheke, and the use of soldiers in this unlawful arrest.
“We ask that Mr. Benedict’s name be cleared and any wrongful actions against him be rectified. The relevant authorities at the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service should be consulted to verify Mr. Benedict’s legitimate position and the legal framework governing revenue collection at the Ariaria market.”
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