Ikwuano Revenue Collector Alleges Extortion by Mayor Anthony Nwaubani, Claims Threat to Life

By Our Correspondent

“I fear for my life. If anything happens to me, let the world know why I spoke out.” Those chilling words from an Ikwuano revenue collector have sparked fresh controversy as he levels serious allegations against top local government officials.

A revenue collector in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Prince Ihechi. Igbokwe, has publicly appealed for protection after making a series of serious allegations recently in Ikwuano LGA of Abia State, against the council’s Mayor, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, and other officials. Igbokwe claimed he was subjected to repeated financial demands, lost his revenue collection assignment after refusing to continue making alleged payments, and now fears for his safety. The allegations have not been independently verified, and some of the officials named had not responded to requests for comment as of the time this report was filed.

Ihechi Igbokwe, a revenue collector in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, has alleged that he was subjected to repeated financial demands by officials, including Mayor Dr. Anthony Nwaubani. He claimed his revenue collection contract was withdrawn after he stopped making the alleged payments and appealed for protection, saying he fears for his life. The allegations remain unproven, and the officials named had not responded at the time of publication.

UMUAHIA — A revenue collector in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Prince Ihechi Igbokwe, has made a series of serious allegations against the Mayor of the council, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, claiming he was subjected to repeated financial demands, stripped of his revenue collection assignment after refusing to continue making payments, and now fears for his life after deciding to speak publicly.

According to Igbokwe, he has documentary evidence to support the payments especially those he allegedly made through the Point of Sale (POS) machine, while serving as a revenue collector in the local government.

He claimed the payments were made mostly in cash and were demanded in addition to the official revenue remittances expected from him.

“I have documentary evidence of all the payments I made because they were mostly made in cash. However, I strongly believe the POS machine was taken from me because I stopped giving them money,” he alleged.

Alleged Payments

Igbokwe alleged that before his contract was terminated, he was compelled to make regular cash payments to several individuals.

He allegedly paid Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, the Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Area, varying sums every three days, including ₦70,000, ₦80,000 and sometimes ₦100,000.

He alleged that he was required to pay ₦120,000 to the Mayor’s wife, Mrs. Nnena Fedelia Nwaubani on several occasions.

He claimed that on one occasion, after failing to make the payment on the scheduled day, he later paid ₦240,000.

He further alleged that he later made another payment of ₦420,000 after being informed that additional money was expected following the transfer of the revenue collection contract from the former super agent.

In another part of his account, he alleged that he paid ₦420,000 during the same period after being informed that additional payments were expected.

“The one of 420k payment I made and this one are together; I made the payments in the same week. I paid 220k and 195k to the local government. The receipts are there, the money I sent to the local government, the receipt is also there. That 240k, I paid them the money in cash; I gave her the first one on Tuesday and then the second one, on Saturday.” He explained.

He further alleged that he paid ₦10,000 every week to the Mayor’s brother-in-law from Mbaise, Imo State.

He also alleged that he made weekly payments of ₦10,000 to the Chief of Staff, Mr. Anthony Eberechukwu Echefu, who is also a brother to the wife of the Mayor, Mrs. Nnena Fedelia Nwaubani, claiming that the transactions were processed through an OPay POS terminal.

Igbokwe alleged that these payments were separate from the official revenue he was expected to remit to the local government.

Meanwhile, some of the payment receipts of N10,000 made at intervals, made available to Famous Reporters bear the name, Chidozie John Ebiogwu, another alleged brother to the Mayor’s wife.

“I Sold My Pigs to Raise Money”

The revenue collector claimed the financial demands became so overwhelming that he was forced to sell his livestock.

“Any day I was not able to raise ₦120,000 to give to the chairman’s wife, I would go and sell my pigs, even when I had not planned to sell them, just so I could raise the money,” he alleged.

He added that after missing one payment, he was allegedly compelled to pay ₦240,000 the following day.

Alleged Threats and Withdrawal of POS Machine

Igbokwe further alleged that after the revenue target assigned to him was increased while the alleged financial demands continued, he could no longer cope financially.

According to him, he eventually stopped making the alleged payments.

He claimed that shortly afterwards, police officers allegedly accompanied persons acting on behalf of the local government to retrieve the POS machine issued to him for revenue collection.

“The reason they took the POS machine from me was because I refused to continue giving them money. That was why they allegedly involved the police and sent officers to retrieve the equipment,” he claimed.

He maintained that the POS machine, account details and login credentials were officially registered in his name and argued that if his services were no longer required, he should have been allowed to return the equipment through official government procedures.
“I Fear for My Life”

Igbokwe expressed fear over the possible consequences of speaking publicly.

“I am appealing to members of the public and the relevant authorities to come to my aid. By making this video and speaking publicly, I do not know what the consequences may be.”
He continued:

“We all come from the same community, and I fear that anything could happen to me.”

The revenue collector added:

“If anything happens to me after this interview, I want it to be known that I only spoke out because I believed it was the right thing to do. My life is in God’s hands, and I leave everything to Him.”

Contract Allegedly Reassigned

Igbokwe further alleged that after informing the super agent about the payments he had allegedly made, he was later informed that someone had been instructed to retrieve the equipment because the revenue collection contract had been awarded to another person.

He said he contacted his supervisor, who allegedly confirmed that the contract had indeed been reassigned.

He further claimed that, earlier, he was warned that failure to continue making the weekly payments would result in the loss of the revenue collection contract.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain the reactions of the wife of the Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Mrs. Nnena Fedelia Nwaubani were unsuccessful. Her telephone line was unreachable, while WhatsApp messages and SMS sent to the Mayor’s wife had not been responded to.

However, the Mayor, Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, did not respond to multiple phone calls or a WhatsApp message sent by our correspondent requesting his reaction to the allegations levelled against him before publication.

However, responding to our correspondent’s WhatsApp message, the Chief of staff wrote:

“
I believe he who alledges must have onus of proof.

You have not attached a name to your so called revenue collector.

Secondly, I would advise you do your due diligence before you take your action as a reporter because actions have consequences.

Be sure to get your facts right.
Book an appointment to my face and come with proof of being a reporter then we take it up from there as I would not engage anyone on social media.
Thanks.”