Benin City – The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the immediate suspension of Tony Kabaka and the controversial revenue collection practices linked to him, citing widespread reports of illegal cash collections, extortion, and harassment of motorists and traders.
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In a special government announcement dated August 5, 2025, the state government expressed deep concern over what it described as a disturbing resurgence of illegal revenue collection carried out under various guises by some unions and private organizations across the state.
According to the statement, groups such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEVAT, and Drivers on Wheel have all been banned from collecting levies, dues, or any charges from members of the public. Their activities, previously allowed under limited terms in collaboration with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), have now been terminated due to “gross violations” of their mandate.
The government also announced the suspension of Atalakpa Recovery Concept Ltd, a private firm formerly engaged to support compliance enforcement. The company was accused of becoming “complicit in widespread extortion and abuse of mandate.”
Governor Okpebholo described the actions of the affected individuals and groups as “economic sabotage” and a “direct affront to law and order,” vowing that the days of using unions as instruments of intimidation and extortion in the name of revenue collection were over.
“This administration will no longer tolerate any form of social harassment, intimidation, or illegal tolling of our people,” the statement said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparent and accountable revenue practices.
The directive takes immediate effect, and security agencies have been instructed to enforce compliance across the state.
