Contrary to the report making the rounds on the protest of Driver’s Union in Aba, Comrd. Tochi Ephraim, revenue contractor in the State under the PDP led government of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has rebutted the allegations by the protesters, that he had remained defiant to the orders as issued by the present administration of Dr. Alex Otti, on the stoppage of all former of revenue collection in the State.
The protest which he said was as a result of the ongoing tussle with the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers
It would be recalled that some aggrieved individuals from Aba metropolis of the State, had, earlier today, stormed the State’s capital in protest, accusing Ephraim 9f involvement in illegal activities, hence his alleged downright refusal to adhere to government’s as it regards the collection of revenues from motorists and all other forms of levies.
Reacting swiftly to the allegations, in a release he titled: ‘To Whom It May Concern’, and made available to newsmen, today, Thursday, the former revenue contractor described the assertions as mere fabrications, which he posted was aimed at presenting him as a rebel to the government of Otti.
“It has come to my notice that some disgruntled elements parading themselves as members of DRIVERS UNION from OSISIOMA FLYOVER ABA today 9/08/23 went to the office of the Deputy Governor, led by one HENRY CHIMA, to say that I, TOCHI EPHRAIM has been collecting illegal levies from them in defiance to the State Government directive on SUSPENSION OF ALL REVENUES as regards TRANSPORT UNIONS.”
Explaining further, Ephraim maintained that he unhesitatingly obeyed the instruction of the Labour Party government on the suspension of all revenue collections across the state, hence his was a mere contract, which he admitted had been terminated.
“To this end, I, TOCHI EPHRAIM state categorically that after the announcement of the SUSPENSION OF ALL REVENUES by the state government which automatically terminated my contract as a revenue contractor in the state, that I have never collected any revenue from anyone in this guise, both personally or by proxy, and I hereby challenge anyone who has contrary evidence to come public with it or forever desist from parading my name as a disobedient and lawless citizen of this state.”
Therefore, he, without fear or favour, insisted that anyone among the protesters, with facts should provide such evidence against him otherwise remain “forever” desist from speaking defamatorily of his person or writing libellously against.
In his words: “I also wish to remind all those involved in this unruly behavior that CHARACTER ASSASSINATION is and remains an OFFENSE AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW in this country as any more of this will attract legal actions against these non-state actors.”
