By Tijani Labaran, Lokoja
Three individuals accused of operating as illegal tax collectors—Abbah Emmanuel, Umar Abubakar, and Kingsley Danasabe—have been arraigned before the Senior Magistrate Court 1 in Lokoja, Kogi State. The trio is alleged to have set up an unauthorized roadblock to extort money from motorists traveling along the Lokoja-Abuja highway.
Presided over by Chief Magistrate Abdullahi Musa Mopa, the court heard a five-count charge against the defendants, which included mounting an illegal roadblock, unlawful revenue collection, extortion, criminal conspiracy, and impersonation. These offenses are reportedly punishable under Section 156 of the Kogi State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2017.
Arrest Details
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the suspects were apprehended on November 13, 2024, in the Felele area of Lokoja, near the Federal University Lokoja axis. They were allegedly caught in the act of extorting motorists on the highway.
Pleas and Bail Arguments
During the hearing, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. Their defense counsel, Mauzu Abbas, urged the court to grant bail, citing constitutional provisions under Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 156 of the state’s criminal justice law. Abbas emphasized that the defendants had already spent two weeks in custody.
The prosecuting officer, SP Gabriel Otowu, did not oppose the bail application but advised the court to exercise caution in its decision.
Bail Conditions
In his ruling, Magistrate Mopa granted bail to each defendant, setting the sum at ₦400,000 with two sureties. The sureties must be residents of Lokoja with verifiable addresses and must include public servants of Grade Level 14 or higher working in reputable institutions within the state.
The case was adjourned to December 11, 2024, for further hearing.
Broader Implications
This case underscores the state government’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal revenue collection, a practice that has plagued highways in the region. It also highlights the importance of lawful taxation processes to ensure public order and safeguard motorists from exploitation.
