The Ebonyi State Government has confirmed the arrest of a man seen in a viral video unlawfully taxing vegetable sellers at the International Market.
His actions directly violated an Executive Order that bans the taxation of petty traders selling perishable goods in the state.
This development comes after Governor Francis Nwifuru, during the swearing-in of the Ebonyi State Revenue Appeal Commission on March 20, 2024, issued a strong warning against imposing taxes on small-scale farmers and traders in local markets.
The governor had emphasised that such practices unfairly burden the less privileged who rely on selling their farm produce for survival.
Responding to the widely shared video on social media, the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Leo Oketa, confirmed the suspect’s arrest. Oketa clarified that the individual’s actions had no connection to the government and were, in fact, a direct violation of the governor’s directive.
He added that the state government had repeatedly made its stance clear: petty traders selling perishable goods, such as vegetables and tomatoes, are not to be taxed. The suspect’s conduct, therefore, was illegal and not authorised by any government agency.
The Nigeria Police Force in Abakaliki acted promptly after being alerted about the incident and successfully apprehended the individual. Oketa assured that the suspect would be prosecuted in line with the law to serve as a deterrent to others.
The government reiterated its commitment to protecting petty traders in the state, ensuring that they are not subjected to unfair demands.
