The Executive Chairman of Cross River State Anti Tax Agency, Bishop Emma Isong, on Wednesday disclosed that the state government had established four “special” mobile courts to prosecute illegal tax collectors at all levels in the state
Isong made the disclosure at a one-day Stakeholders’ meeting/workshop on “Anti-Tax Agency: Justification and a way Forward” held in Calabar, the state capital.
According to him, governor Ben Ayade’s social schemes, as well as programmes which had in no small way affected the poor including setting up anti-tax agency will remain a legacy of his administration.
He explained: “There are so many illegal and multiple taxes imposed on Cross Riverians knowingly and unknowingly and governor Ayade is very angry with this ugly development.
“Four mobile courts have been set up in collaboration with Cross River State and the Chief Judge of the state as well as the Anti-Tax Agency to make sure offenders are arrested and prosecuted no matter their place and status in the society. There will be times, charges and various degrees of punishment for offenders and no one will be spared.
“Ayade’s social programmes will remain a legacy because they have affected the poorest of the poor and the lowest of the low and his passion to uplift the downtrodden cannot be overemphasized”, the chairman added.
On the agency’s goal, Isong said: “Our goal is to sustain a caring, supportive and peaceful climate for farmers, small scale businesses and the downtrodden as well as protect the goodwill and passion of government for the poor and the vulnerable for a better society.
“We also intend to stop illegal tax collections and discourage fraudulent tax consultant and improve cooperation between tax authorities and anti-tax agencies by combating tax crime and corruption,” he added.
