The Chairman of Cross River State Anti-tax Agency, Bishop Emmah Isong has accused the officials of the Nigeria Police Force and Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) in Cross River State of extorting money from members of the public in the State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to DAILY POST, the Chairman regretted the action of the two federal government agencies, alleging that they extort money from members of the public.
The Chairman again regretted that the illegal extortion of money from members of the public was principally noted mostly along Ikom highway in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River and other areas.
Bishop Isong condemned the action of these uniform men along the highway and posited that there is no connectivity with the designated mission of the State anti-tax policy, and the bribery act allegedly perpetrated by these men.
He clarified that the mandate of the Anti-tax Force Agency, among others, was to ensure that the poor, low-income earners and peasant farmers enjoy tax holiday in accordance with the anti-tax law, stating that, the illicit extortions carried out by the officers are not under any tax law but a clear act of crime and corruption.
He, however, charged the people of the State to defend their right legally by suing any officer in demand of monetary extortion, affirming that, the anti-tax agency will hold up the proceedings.
When our reporter contacted the Nigeria Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo, she denied the allegations, saying “We are not aware of such extortion”