Benue government drags businessman, AIG to court over revenue leakage

The Benue State Government has sued a businessman, Mr Joseph Orih, his company, M.C. Development Co. Nig. Ltd and the Assistant Inspector General, AIG, zone 4 Makurdi. The suit came up last Thursday at High Court 6A, Makurdi, presided over by justice I Tyoniman.

Through the case filed by the Attorney General of the State and the State Inland Revenue Service, the Benue government wants to recover N170 million said to have been collected illegally by Orih and his company and is also seeking N1bn in general damages.

Among reliefs sought by the state government is an order of interlocutory injunction against the Respondents/Defendants restraining them by themselves, servants, agents or privies from collecting any tax/revenue from any part of the state or interfering with the activities of the Applicants/Plaintiffs or their appointed revenue agents pending the determination of the suit.

While the state government is ready for trial, counsel to the AIG pleaded for time to settle out of court. On his part, counsel to Orih pleaded for time because he is indisposed.

Counsel to the BIRS, Emmanuel Kpojime said, “we are looking forward to the adjourned December 5, 2016, date; the Benue State is setting a good example by resorting to ‘Due Process’ and the ‘Rule of Law’ through judicial interpretation and resolution rather than to the coercive power of the state to enforce its rights and privileges. This will surely consolidate our democracy.”

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