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| Bishop Emmah Isong |
25 May 2020
The Chair of the Cross River State Anti-Tax Agency, His Lordship, Bishop Emmah Isong has addressed a strongly worded message against illegal taxation in Cross River state.
Isong in a press statement made available to our news room yesterday frowned against the continued collection of illegal taxes, dues, levies, revenues and tolls despite directive by His Excellency the State Governor. Isong who argued that the trend contravenes the provisions of the Cross River State Tax Exemption Laws, warned that the law will catch up with such collectors as his agency is disposed to slam litigation against such persons.
The release reads accordingly, ‘It has come to the notice of the Anti-Tax Agency that in spite of His Excellency, Senator (Prof.) Ben Ayade’s directives to end illegal taxation in Cross River State, some proscribed Agencies, Unions, LGA revenue Staff, individuals and tax consultants have taken it upon themselves to continually extort from innocent citizens.
‘This not acceptable even after the Governor had issued several warnings to the perpetrators to desist from such inhuman act of extorting their hard-earned money. Besides, such act is against the Cross River State Tax Exemption Laws.
‘The Agency, however, frowns at such flagrant abuse of laws and directive, warning that those still engaged in illegal collections of taxes, dues, levies,tolls and revenues from Keke-Napep, Taxi Drivers, Hawkers, market women, shop owners and Small Scale Businesses shall be prosecuted by the law if caught.
‘The Agency warns that henceforth, anybody caught in this illegal business shall be handed over to law enforcement officers for immediate prosecution.’
The statement published an emergency number, namely, 07026105177, in the event of a breach of the directive.
