A disturbing incident has emerged from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, involving an alleged case of double taxation, assault, and unlawful detention linked to a disputed advert fee.
Mr. Uguba Chukwuemeka, a businessman from Uwanna, Afikpo North LGA, operates a printing press in Abakaliki. According to him, he had already settled his annual advert fee with the Abakaliki Local Government Council and was issued a valid receipt.
Despite this, on Wednesday, July 24, officials from the Abakaliki Capital Territory Board visited his business premises demanding the same payment again. After refusing to make a second payment and presenting his receipt as proof, the victim was reportedly confronted by two unidentified men dressed in black polo shirts and dark sunglasses, accompanied by plain-clothed officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The situation turned violent.
“The two men in black beat up my younger brother, and the Civil Defence officers turned on my mother and sister — they tore their clothes in public and dragged my brother away. He’s still in their custody”, Mr Chukwuemeka stated.
Upon seeking clarification at the Abakaliki Capital Territory office, officials there confirmed that the operatives involved were indeed from the NSCDC.
During the assault, one of the Civil Defence officers reportedly declared:
“Governor Nwifuru is my brother — you can do nothing about it.”
Mr. Chukwuemeka estimates the total damage — including medical costs, destruction of property, and loss of business — at over ₦8 million.
As of now, no official response has been issued by either the NSCDC or the Abakaliki Capital Territory Board regarding the incident. The family is demanding justice and calling on Governor Francis Nwifuru to intervene by investigating the abuse of authority and clarifying who holds the legal mandate to collect advert fees in the state capital.
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