The Chairman of Aba North Local Government Council, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke has been accused of excesses and high-handedness in revenue collection at the popular Ariaria International Market.

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In a statement issued on Monday by Ariaria Stakeholders Forum and signed by its Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Chukwudi and Secretary, Chief Boniface Kalu on Sunday, the Forum lamented the excesses of the Local Government where he used the soldiers to detain the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures, Mr Benedict Elias who is a law abiding citizen.

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The statement made available to CAPITAL POST pointed out that Mr Elias was duely appointed as agent to Abia Stat3 Board of Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS), hence, he wasn’t carrying out illegality.

The LG however claimed to have the backing of Governor Alex Otti, but further findings revealed that the Governor would never support illegality to the extent that a law abiding citizen was arrested and detained.

A source told CAPITAL POST in Umuahia that Governor Otti believes in the rule of law and will not support any intimidation whatsoever.

Partof the statement read: “The attention of Ariaria Stakeholders Forum (ASF) have been formally drawn to the unlawful and improper action taken by the Local Government Chairman of Aba North Local Government, Mr Timothy Kalu Iheke who used soldiers to illegally arrest and detain the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures Nig, Mr Benedict Elias, a duely appointed Revenue Agent of Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), regarding the revenue collection at Ariaria International Market, Aba, Abia State.

“The Local Government Chairman of Aba North, Mr Timothy Iheke 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 wherein the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) is saddled with the responsibility of revenue collection in the said market.

“The Local Government Chairman has no legal 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 without any warrant of arrest and illegally detain Mr. Benedict Elias without any detention order at Central Police Station (CPS) Umuahia for two days over false and baseless allegations.

“Mr Benedict Elias the Managing Director of Star Nkey Ventures Nig. a duly appointed and authorized Revenue Agent of the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service was falsely accused of impersonation and of being a fake revenue agent, charges that are entirely unfounded and baseless.

“We would like to emphasize that Mr. Benedict Elias was legally and duely 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.

“The actions taken by the Local Government Chairman Mr Iheke and his unauthorized use of soldiers to arrest a legitimate state revenue agent are highly concerning and represent an overstep of authority.

“This interference not only disrupts the lawful revenue collection process but also undermines the authority of the State Executive Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti on which Abia State Board of Internal Revenue Service is working for.

“The Board Chairman of BIRS had on many occasions warned Mr Timothy iheke to desist from harassing a Mr Benedict Elias and his team who are bonafide Abia State revenue agent in Ariaria market which is state owned but Iheke blatantly refused but rather threatened to deal with the Board Chairman for telling him to desist from working against the interest of the state government.

“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. Additionally, 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.

“We trust that a thorough investigation will be conducted and appropriate action taken to ensure that the Aba North Chairman, Mr Timothy Iheke is brought to book to account for the use of soldiers on an unarmed and law-abiding civilian Mr Benedict Elias.”

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Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah Echocho, has congratulated Muslim faithful for the successful completion of this year Ramadan fast, urging them to celebrate the Sallah in love, and unity across our communities.

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Echocho in a statement madeavailable to CAPITALPOST in Lokoja o Sunday, described the Ramadan period as stressful, but deserving, because it is the only period for spiritual reflection on abstinence from immorality, sincere sacrifice and supplications to Allah.

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He added that, Ramadan symbolises Allah’s way of teaching humanity on virtuous living, where people keep away from all forms of comfort to appreciate what the less privileged experience and deprivation they suffers daily.

He task Muslims to extend the lessons of Ramadan to the way we live with our neighbours.

“Let’s seek peace at all times and promote unity of purpose in our society” the Lawmaker demanded.

“May the celebration brings sustainable peace to our homes, my district, Kogi State and Nigeria, he concluded.

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The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.

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Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.

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He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.

Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.

Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.

In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.

In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.

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