The Heavy Duty Haulage Transporters Welfare Association of Nigeria has alleged that illegal taxes and extortion on Nigerian highways are significantly increasing the cost of transporting goods across the country, urging the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to investigate an alleged unauthorised presidential task force accused of illegal revenue collection.
The association made the call during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, where its Secretary-General, Ambassador Ayobami Makinde, said unauthorised checkpoints and illegal levies imposed on commercial vehicles had become major factors driving inflation in the transportation sector and, by extension, the wider economy.
The alleged presidential task force is named the āPresidential Task Force Against Economic Sabotage/Multiple Taxation.ā
Makinde said findings by the association showed that illegal taxation on highways had substantially increased transportation costs, with the burden ultimately transferred to Nigerians through higher prices of goods.
According to him, trucks transporting goods from Borno State to Port Harcourt incur between ā¦1.8 million and ā¦1.9 million in illegal payments, while those travelling from Katsina State to Lagos pay about ā¦1.5 million in similar charges.
āThe cost of these illegal collections is eventually added to the prices of commodities, making Nigerians bear the burden of unlawful taxation on the highways,ā he said.
Makinde argued that the collection of taxes through roadblocks violates the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 2004, particularly Section 3(2), which, according to him, prescribes penalties for unauthorised tax collection and clearly outlines the taxes collectible by the federal, state and local governments.
He alleged that about 80 per cent of individuals collecting taxes and levies on Nigerian highways were not authorised by any level of government.
āNeither the federal government nor state and local governments have the legal authority to establish roadblocks for the sole purpose of generating revenue,ā he added.
The association also announced the inauguration of its National Working Committee.
The newly inaugurated officials are Hon. Oraka Nnaemaka as National Chairman, Ambassador Ayobami Makinde as Secretary-General, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar as President of the Board, Azubuike Nwanko as Board Secretary, and Valentine Anona as Deputy Director of Operations.
Makinde further disclosed that the association instituted a suit at the Federal High Court last year, seeking an order of mandamus compelling law enforcement agencies to enforce the provisions of the law against illegal tax collection on highways.
He said judgment in the case was delivered on the 13th of this month in favour of the applicants, adding that the association was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before making it public.
The association also alleged that one Emmanuel Osiegbemeh was acting as the leader of the presidential task force allegedly involved in extorting motorists and revenue officials in different parts of the country.
According to Makinde, petitions submitted to the Nigeria Police Force led to an investigation by the Force Criminal Investigation Department, which allegedly recommended charges against the suspect before he was declared wanted after reportedly jumping police bail.
He further alleged that despite being declared wanted, the suspect continued to operate with the support of some police personnel.
According to him, the document being relied upon merely requested comments from security agencies on an application and did not constitute presidential approval.
He also alleged that the purported task force is currently operating in Delta, Enugu and Ebonyi states, where its members allegedly arrested revenue officials, extorted money from them and issued unofficial receipts.
The association further claimed that some suspected members of the group were currently in the custody of the Department of State Services in Oyo State, while another incident involving persons allegedly linked to the group resulted in a road accident along the EnuguāEbonyi boundary that destroyed a newly acquired truck.
Makinde said the association had documentary evidence, including police reports, receipts, identity cards and video recordings, which it would make available to journalists and relevant authorities.
He appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to order a fresh investigation into the allegations and sanction anyone found culpable, including any police officers allegedly aiding the activities of the purported task force.
Describing the alleged activities as a threat to national security, Makinde called for decisive action to eliminate illegal taxation on Nigerian highways, protect transport operators and restore public confidence in law enforcement.
