Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, issued a directive yesterday to the state’s Commissioner of Police (CP) to put an end to the unlawful taxation of market operators and the alleged forgery of council documents by the reinstated chairpersons of local councils affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He emphasized that such actions could threaten the maintenance of law and order at the community level. This directive was communicated through a statement released by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Rasheed Olawale.
The statement indicated that the governor has instructed the police commissioner to summon the implicated council chairpersons for interrogation regarding their alleged falsification of council documents, the collection of questionable revenue through illegal means, and the imposition of unauthorized fees on market operators.
Adeleke referenced multiple reports of these illegal activities, particularly from Boripe Local Council, asserting that such conduct not only violates established legal provisions but also undermines the judiciary, especially in light of the APC’s appeal concerning the dismissal of its chairpersons.
Additionally, the governor tasked his Special Adviser on Security with coordinating with the Police Commissioner to ensure the enforcement of this directive. He expressed his astonishment at the blatant imposition of hardship on the populace through unlawful revenue and tax collection.
“Is this the rationale behind the illegal occupation of council secretariats? Is this merely about extorting the citizens and inflicting suffering upon them? This must cease immediately,” the statement concluded.
