Again, the Cross River State Anti-Tax Agency, chaired by Bishop Emmah Isong has recovered looted items seized from a petty trader, Mrs. Ekanem who\’s barely 2-month-old in stabilizing her business in Calabar South.
The development followed the outburst of Mrs. Ekanem who launched a \’Save Our Soul\’ complaint, on November 11, 2022, on grounds of assaults and forceful confiscation of properties by unlawful tax operators who parades as government tax officials in Calabar South.
In the year 2020, Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, established the Agency to prevent Illegal taxation from small-scale businesses. Ayade insisted it was an injustice to tax the poor and all low-income earners.
Similarly, The number one citizen frowned at the activities of illegal tax consultants who he said imposing an unnecessary tax on the poor and vulnerable persons in the state is a criminal offense.
On received of complaint, the Anti-Tax Agency swung into action by mobilizing a team of 2 Brigades, Enforcement Representatives, and Local Government Area Representatives on the directives of the Agency\’s Chairman to leave no stone unturned in arresting the ugly situation related to excessive taxation on low budgeted businesses in Cross River state.
After a thorough investigation, the Joint Task Force Team recovered the complainer properties hitherto seized by the unlawful tax operators in Calabar South.
In contentment, after recovery of her looted items, Ekama expressed her satisfaction to the agency, She thanked His Excellency, Ben Ayade for the conception and activation of the Cross River State Anti-Tax Agency which is assuaging plights of the less privileged in the State.
“I am happy and thankful to Governor Ben Ayade for establishing the Cross River State Anti-Tax Agency and promoting small businesses in the State with an effective tax exemption policy,” Ekama said.
The agency, however, urged illegitimate groups and individuals who parade as tax merchants to desist from such inimical workouts to persons protected by Anti-Tax laws in the state. The agency upheld that, they will face the wrath of the law if they persist.