Anambra govt denies ordering arrest of citizens who allegedly stole state’s revenue

The Government of Anambra State has denied reports that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo reportedly ordered the immediate arrest of some cronies of the former Governor, Mr. Willie Obiano, who stole revenues allegedly belonging to the state if they fail to appear before the Chairman of the Anambra State Flying Revenue Committee, headed by the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, on Wednesday, November 2.

Reports said that he ordered the arrest some of these prominent citizens following government suspicion that they allegedly diverted revenues that should accrue to the state government over the last 8 years.

It claimed that the affected citizens include Chief Ngozika Okpagu, who operates a park at Fegge, Onitsha South, and the Managing Director of Zara stores, Awka, Mr Akai Egwuonwu, both of whom were close allies of former Governor Obiano.

It added that Chief Okpagu was summoned to explain why he is operating a park at Onitsha South and to provide evidence of payment of dues to the state’s internal revenue service for his businesses in the last 8 years.

It further noted that, Chief Egwuonwu, a proponent of Anambra Rice, on his part, was expected to explain why Anambra rice concept and branding has been personalized and if he pays the necessary taxes and revenue to the state for such branding and business.

Other accused persons, the report claimed, are also invited and expected to appear for interview on flying revenue windows in the state.

Reacting in a press release, entitled “RE: Soludo orders arrest of two Anambra billionaires over state’s revenue diversion“, however, the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime, stated:

“The attention of Government of Anambra State has been drawn to a news report making the rounds with the above heading.

“The statement reads in part as follows:

“Barring any change of orders, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of Anambra state has ordered the immediate arrest of some prominent citizens of Anambra state over flying revenue windows in their control if they refuse to appear before the Chairman, flying revenue committee, Anambra State and Deputy Governor of Anambra state by Wednesday this week, Anambra Current News reports.”

Within the news story, names where mentioned.

The government therefore wishes to state as follows:

1. The report is fake news, fabricated by person(s) whose objective is unknown.

2. It is baseless and unfounded.

3. Ndi Anambra are therefore advised to totally disregard the report as fictious, malicious and a figment of the imagination of the writer.

4. Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, is committed to the enthronement of transparency and promotion of law and order, being one of the five pillars of his administration.

5. Ndi Anambra are urged to continue to support the state government’s vision of building a liveable and prosperous smart mega-city.” Read more.

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