Anambra : 6 Illegal revenue collectors arraigned, remanded

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

No fewer than six illegal revenue collectors were arraigned in a Magistrate court sitting at Onitsha North Secretariat, Anambra State, by the Operatives of the Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency (SASA) over illegal revenue collections from traders and commercial motor operators in Onitsha.

Those arraigned included, Monday Chukwuma, Sunday Chinweze, Uche Nweke, Ekene Onyedimma, Anaekwe Uchenna and Ugochukwu Ukadike.

The illegal revenue collectors were granted bail with strict conditions that include, ₦200,000 to ₦300,000, and  a surety of grade level 17 civil servant.

It was gathered that the intensified crackdown on illegal revenue collectors followed the agency’s reaffirmed commitment to restoring order and protecting traders from extortion across the state.

Reacting outside the court hall, the SASA Media spokesperson, Karen James disclosed that a decisive enforcement operation was carried out in Onitsha and its environs, where SASA operatives apprehended the six individuals accused of unlawfully collecting levies from traders and commercial operators. 

She said, “They were arrested following credible intelligence gathering and coordinated field surveillance conducted over a period of time.

According to the SASA Media aide, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly operated without authorization, imposing illegal charges on unsuspecting members of the public for personal gain.

She stated further that state authorities have emphasized that such activities not only undermine lawful revenue collection systems but also impose undue hardship on small-scale business owners striving to survive in a challenging economic environment.

 “The court ordered their remand in a correctional facility while granting bail under strict conditions, including a ₦200,000 bond, a ₦300,000 , and the provision of a grade level 17 civil servant as surety.

The Presiding Magistrate adjourned the case to July 1, 2026, for further hearing.