Police arraigns three for alleged illegal tax collection in Kogi

Police on Wednesday arraigned three men at the Lokoja Chief Magistrates’ Court 1 in Kogi State for alleged illegal tax collection.

The defendants – Kingsley Dan’sebe, Umar Abubakar, and Abba Emmanuel – were charged with criminal conspiracy, causingan obstruction on the public highway, and extortion.

The police prosecutor, Gabriel Itowo, told the court that the suspects were arrested on November 13 by a vigilante group in Lokoja while posing as staff members of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Services (KGIRS).

He said the suspects mounted a roadblock on the Lokoja – Abuja Road and collected revenue illegally.

The defendants, however, denied the charges preferred against them.

The defence counsel, Muazu Abbas, in his application, urged the court to grant his clients bail.

He argued that the offences were bailable and could be tried by the Magistrates’ Court.

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Abbas said: “The defendants have been in police custody since November 13, 2024, and we urged the court to consider the bail application.

“The defendants will furnish the court with reasonable and reliable sureties to prove they will be available for trial.”

The Chief Magistrate, Abdullahi Mopa, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N400,000 each with a surety in like sum.

“The surety must have a traceable address in Lokoja, and must not be less than a level 14 officer either at the federal or state parastatal.

“The surety must disclose their Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) to the court registrar,” he stated.

The magistrate adjourned the case till December 11 for further mention.

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