The Benue Internal Revenue Services (BIRS) has categorically denied the existence of any tax racketeering syndicate within the organization.

The denial comes in response to claims made by a group called Benue Advocate for Good Governance (BAGG) in an open letter addressed to Governor Hyacinth Alia.

BAGG alleged that a tax racketeering syndicate, led by the acting Chairman of BIRS and some staff, was involved in fraudulent activities to defraud the state.

Among the claims made by BAGG were that touts were collecting revenue on behalf of BIRS, and receipts were being reprinted and sold with the money going into private pockets, particularly at certain checkpoints.

However, Mr. Emmanuel Agema, the Acting Chairman of BIRS, refuted the allegations, stating that they are baseless and intended to discredit the hard work of the service's staff. He emphasized that BIRS has been actively fighting against illegalities in revenue collection, with the state government even forming a task force to address issues related to illegal mining, logging, and roadblocks.

The statement from BIRS noted the dedication and commitment of its staff in carrying out their revenue collection duties and emphasizes the ongoing efforts to combat any criminal activities associated with revenue collection in the state.

“Just recently, the acting chairman met with leaders of the Task Force to synergise on modalities to eradicate illegal roadblocks on our roads. It is therefore, abysmal that a group advocating for good governance would be this uninformed.

“The Chairman, has repeatedly reiterated his zero tolerance to operators of illegal checkpoint and vehemently frowns against issuance of fake receipts, extortion of the taxpayers, and particularly the collection of unreceipted monies at the various Inspection/Monitoring points. The Chairman, is focused and determined to use every lawful measures for tax collection and remittance owing to the fact that taxation is law...

The Service appealed to Governor Alia and Benue people to discountenance the said open letter as it was fraught with lies and falsehood aimed at tarnishing the image of the hardworking staff and management of BIRS.