Ebonyi Govt Disowns VIO’s Personnel, Dissolves Tax, Revenue Agents Over Death Of Elderstatesman

The Ebonyi State Government has dissociated itself from the illegal activities of the Vehicle Inspection Officials (VIO) in the State which led to the death of a prominent politician in the state, Chief Geoffrey Mgbada.

The State Governor, David Umahi, while condemning the alleged killing of the elder statesman disbanded all revenue and tax agents in the state at all levels and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

The governor also directs immediate arrest and prosecution of such illegal tax or revenue agents.

Umahi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, described his killing as wicked and barbaric and ordered a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Uzor in the statement said: “The Governor on hearing about the death of Chief Mgbada expressed great sadness and ordered the Commissioner of Police to arrest and prosecute the suspects who paraded themselves as VIO Officers.

“Let it be known that the Governor in a town-hall meeting with Ebonyians proscribed all task-force agents working under any guise using the state government as cover.

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“In the proscription order, the Governor also dissolved all revenue and tax agents in the state at all levels with a promise to convoke another town hall meeting where a new tax and other revenue will be deliberated and agreed upon and the Governor is yet to convene this meeting before this ugly incident.

“The Governor is saddened by this careless death and wishes to dissociate the state government from the illegal activities of the VIO and other task force agents in the state and directs for immediate arrest and prosecution of such illegal tax or revenue agents.”

BIGPEN ONLINE recalls that two members of Vehicle Inspection Officials (VIO) in Ebonyi State on Tuesday allegedly killed the elderstatesman following a fracas over vehicle particulars.

The incident occurred along Presco/Ezza Road axis of Abakaliki.

Reports say the late Mgbada and his wife were said to be on their way to their farm early in the morning when the VIO officers stopped them and an argument ensued which led to one of the VIO officers pushing him and he fell and hit his head on the concrete road and died instantly.

He was a former member of the Abakaliki Capital Territory Development Board and Secretary of the Ebonyi Elders’ Council.

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The Police Public Relations officer for Ebonyi State command, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident, adding that the deceased remains have been deposited at the mortuary of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.

She disclosed that two members of the team have been arrested by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the force.