By Ifeizu Joe
A human rights group, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has written to the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, calling for extensive investigation into the activities of the immediate past Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Hon Emeka Orji.
The group decries forceful taxing of traders during the tenure of the chairman who left office last weekend, alleging that beyond heavy taxation, he also used thugs to compel traders to pay.
The group in one of the letter which was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and signed by its Board of Trustees Chairman, Mr Emeka Umeagbalasi, which was sighted by our correspondent, the group urged government to also investigate where some of the illegally collected revenue went.
Intersociety in the letter said: “We strongly call on Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo-led Government of Anambra State to sanitize and eliminate porous and indiscriminate taxes and levies and enforce beyond armchair and white-elephant promises-the laws and procedures on unified and joint taxes and levies, their collection and sharing systems in Anambra.
“Based on our gathered circumstantial evidence, it has been observed that estimated N1billion is found to have been generated outside the law including payments made in cash, possibly ended up in private persons’ accounts in contradiction of official financial management regulations.
“These criminal taxes and levies are observed as having been collected using duplicity and criminalization of taxes and levies by the outgone Onitsha South Local Government under Emeka Orji.”
The group tabled key demands it seeks from Anambra State government in the matter to include; Averting imminent breakdown of law and order-likely to lead to chaos in Onitsha South over widespread harassment, intimidation and extortion of traders and owners of warehoused goods, sanitizing revenue windows and their collection and ending multiplicity of levies and taxes clearly outlined.
Others are locating, recovering and returning to statutory state or affected LGA coffers the estimated cash of N1billion, thoroughly investigating the administration and finances of the council under outgone chairman. Investigating and prosecuting those engaging in undermining the state Revenue Administration and taxes and levies laws, particularly in Onitsha South.
