BIRS arraigns 50 for operating illegal checkpoints, fake receipts

No fewer than 50 persons have been arraigned for operating illegal checkpoints and fake receipts by the sustained efforts of the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), in collaboration with the various security agencies.

This is part of the efforts to rid the state of all illegal checkpoints and other fraudulent manipulations associated with revenue collections.

A statement in Makurdi by the Media Assistant to the Acting Executive Chairman of BIRS, Jacinta Benard revealed that the enforcement and legal departments of the service indicates that over 50 persons some of which are staff of BIRS, have so far been arrested and arraigned for prosecution in 23 cases at the various Chief Magistrate Courts, CMC, in the state.

The suspects, according to the statement, were charged for forgery, impersonation, criminal conspiracy, armed robbery among others were arrested at different locations across the state, including the notorious operators of the so-called Federal Haulage led by one Bernard Iornongu.

“To underscore the resolute position of the Ag. Chairman to deal decisively with anyone involved in these acts of sabotage and criminality against the state, the Chairman gave his nod for the arrest of one Philemon Kwaghkondo, a staff of the service, for his alleged involvement in fake receipts racketeering, and is currently facing trial at the CMC 1.”

According to the statement, Mr. Agema on assumption of office overhauled the entire revenue collection structure, which also included the setting up of a Taskforce team under the supervision of the Director Enforcement to effectively tackle the menace of illegal checkpoints and other illegalities associated with revenue collection in the state, which was negatively affecting the economy of the state.

The Chairman has also sustained the established and effective collaborations with the leading security agencies in the state for the appreciable results achieved so far.

The BIRS boss who believed that total eradication of the menace could be achieved through collaboration, solicited the support of traditional rulers and other community groups to discourage their youths from getting involved with such criminal acts within their localities, and as well expose the notorious ones.

As he expressed satisfaction with the cooperation the organization has been enjoying with the Benue State House of Assembly, particularly the Assembly Committees on Finance and Public accounts, the Chairman called on the lawmakers to expedite action on the bill forwarded to them which provides for stiffer sanctions of tax evaders and illegal checkpoints operators.