INSIDE STORY OF THE EXTORTION RING IN MOTOR TRAFFIC DIVISION IN EDO STATE:

…Edo state government loses an estimate of about N300, 000, 000 (N300m) in revenue annually

…MTD office likened to another board of internal revenue

…EDOCSO to release evidences in video and victims testimony on social media soon.

The unwholesome activities of the Motor Traffic Division (MTD) of the Nigeria Police Force that its office is located in the premises of the Area Command on Sapele road is becoming unbecoming of what is expected of the police.

The officers attached to it are sent out every morning to mount check point along major roads in Benin city, particularly around 3rd Junction roundabout on Sapele road to demand for vehicle particulars which is known to law as (ROAD TAX) payable to the state government. Any motorist with expired or defective vehicle particulars is taken to their office.

Upon getting to their office, the vehicle is confiscated and the negotiation for its release starts. Reports and complaints from members of the public reveal that, amount ranges between N5, 000 and N20, 000 are paid for the release of their vehicles depending on the alleged offence committed. These offenders are never taken to Edo State Internal Revenue Service to regularise their vehicle particulars or charged before a court to determine the offence, if there is.

It was easy to know that the MTD have never taken any motorist to the court hence the latest show of shame recently when a motorist was arraigned before a magistrate court. One Mr. Kevin Ulebe was charged to the court for possessing an expired vehicle particulars with a law that never existed which led the court to strike out the case and discharge and acquit the suspect.

The operations of the MTD has deprived Edo state government its expected revenue in Road Tax over the years and state government agencies like the Edo State Traffic Management Agency, Edo State Internal Revenue Service and the Vehicle Inspection Department have been overwhelmed by the taking over of their duties by the MTD as it relates to the demand of Road Tax from motorists.

Going forward, Edo Civil Society Organisations is determined to put an end to the massive extortions going on in the office of the MTD and to place surveillance on their activities. Any officer of the MTD found wanting in extorting motorists in the name of expired or defective vehicle particulars in Edo state will be made to be tried with the provisions in the Police Act and Regulations and other anti graft agencies are to be put on alert on the activities of the MTD in the state.

WE WANT EDO STATE GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE ITS REVENUE THROUGH ROAD TAX.

VIOLATORS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO EDO STATE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE TO REGULARIZE THEIR VEHICLE PAPERS.

VEHICLE PAPERS ARE NOT REGULARIZED IN MTD OFFICE.

WE SHALL RESIST ANYTHING SHORT OF THESE ABOVE.

NEVER AGAIN WILL EDO STATE BE TURNED TO FARMLAND TO THE DETRIMENT OF STATE INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE.

Leftist Osazee Edigin
Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations
No. 1, Sokponba Road, (ACB Building)
Benin City,
Edo State,
Nigeria.
Twitter: @alutaedocso
www.edocso.org
info@edocso.org, osazedigin@edocso.org

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