Delta resident flags illegal collections to EFCC, ICPC

Following series of complaints from the public, a concerned Delta under the public watch, Mr Kenneth Francis has raised alarm over illegal multiple revenue collections in Delta State.

Francis told South-South Punch on Tuesday that he had written a petition to Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the corrupt practices in the system.

He lamented however, that the anti-graft agencies are yet to commence investigation into the allegations.

He stated that these multiple levies collection by State Government through the Directorate of Transport, Ministry of Environment and Board of Internal Revenue are not backed by the law.

He said, “It’s pertinent to begin this criminal complaint by stating that all collection of taxes, levies, tariffs, duties, tolls, excise or any other form of revenue collection by any tier of government or its agencies must be backed by a known law dully passed by the Senate or House of Assemby of any particular state.

“The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other extant revenue regulatory laws, which include:- Taxes & Levies Act cap T2, 2004 LFN, Delta State Internal revenue service Law 2020, clearly spelt out the list of items collectable by each tier of government.

“The laws empowered the local government councils and not ministries, departments or Agencies of a state to collect Mobile advert permits, vehicle radio/Tvlicence fee.

“Therefore, the contract awarded to Ossisa global ventures by Directorate of transport and ministry of Environment to print various emblems and stickers called state papers, for sale to vehicles in Delta state and those that ply the road accross the state on interstate transit is not only illegal but an act of corruption by all the parties involved in the illegal acts, as the emblems being used to extort money from road users are not created by any known revenue Law.

“The operations of Ossisa global ventures and its Agents are portraying Delta as a lawless state and dragging the image of the state to disrepute which potentially scaring away investors and merchants that transports goods to the state.

‘’I am fighting against the sale of illegal emblems in the state by Ossisa global ventures who are working in cahoots with some officials of ministries of transport and Environment.

“They are violating the laws they are supposed to protect and circumventing the economic policy of the Governor for their pecuniary interest.

“That is why we petitioned them to ICPC and that is already derailing, fails to conclude investigation into this reported matter before August 25th, we will approach the court to get an Order of mandamus to compel it to prosecute Ossisa global ventures and its cohorts. We are also considering dragging the Commissioners for transport and Environment to Federal High Court for interpretation of the above quoted laws.

“I wrote petition through my lawyer to ICPC and the petition was dated 21st April 2025 and it was submitted at Asaba office on the 22/4/2025. Then about two weeks ago, I was contacted to come and collect the acknowledgement copy of the said petition and until now,Asaba office is yet to commence investigation into the matter.

“I am not comfortable with the slow approach with which my petition is being handle. I’m calling on ICPC in Abuja to direct speedy investigation of my petition because justice delayed is justice denied”

He mentioned 20 items including Board of Internal Revenue, Road Users Permit, Revenue unified Clearance Certificate, Revenue State Users Permit, Ministry of Environment Sanitation Certificate, Ministry of Transport Haulage permit.

Others are Drivers & Conductors’ identification Badge, Heavy duty side sticker operation permit, Delta State Joint Ministries Annual permit, Economic Development levy certificate, Delta highway use tax certificate, Delta state annual road sign certificate among others

He alleged that the above government agenta have continue to extort monies running into millions on monthly basis from the motorists, diverting same to personal coffers.

Reacting to the accusation, The Commissioner in charge of the Directorate of Transport, Mr.Agofure said the ministry engaged the said OssaiIsamede to collect levies and emblems on their behalf.

“The thing is to be honest people don’t like paying taxes. Government spends so much in fixing these roads and all the heavy duty trucks that destroyed the roads not smaller cars, so the government spends billions providing good roads, I don’t see any reason why they will not pay taxes.

He said the constitution only give authority to the third tier government to collect revenue in market, motor park, garage, while state is empowered t collect revenue as mentioned earlier above.

Also, the Commissioner for Environment confirmed that the ministry empowered the said Ossai Global enterprises to collect sanitation certificate on behalf of the ministry.

When contacted the ICPC Abuja office, our correspondent was directed to the Delta State office but efforts made to ICPC Delta Commissioner failed as calls and message sent across to him were not responded to as of the time of filling this report.