Edo IRS Board probes alleged N70m fraud by staff

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN — Authorities of Edo State Board of Internal Revenue, IRS,  are investigating some staff of the board,  alleged to be involved in fraudulent activities to the tune of over N70 million in their motor licensing office located on Airport Road, Benin City.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board, Chief Useni Elamah, has lamented that the Internally Generated Revenue of the state has dropped to N1.3 billion due to failure of the Federal Government to pay allocation to states as at when due.

Elamah also described as shocking, the sudden death of the Permanent Secretary, Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Sunday Okundia.

Elamah, in a statement in Benin City, said: “Elder Okundia was a quintessential civil servant, who diligently served Edo State and brought to bear on any assignment, integrity, professionalism, and value for taxpayers’ money.

“His drive to professionalise the operations of Edo State Internal Revenue Service led to the setting up of the Staff Training School of which he was the Head/Principal Resource Person. The late Okundia was a man of character, humility and had passion to serve God.”

Vanguard learnt that following the alleged fraud that rocked the Airport Road office of the Board, the authorities had ordered all Motor Licensing Officers in the three senatorial districts of the state to present their transactions to auditors with a view to checking the fraudulent activities of some staff.

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