Oyo Government Suspends Market Executives Over Collection of Illegal Levies

The Oyo State Government has suspended the executive members of the Bodija International Market in Ibadan over alleged collection of illegal levies from the traders.

The Caretaker Chairman of Aare Latosa Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Samonda, Ibadan, Mr Adewale Osoniyi, who made the disclosure on Friday while speaking with newsmen said the government did not send anyone to collect revenues from the traders. He said the suspension was to pave way for thorough investigation of the allegation.

”Preliminary investigation and arrest of the perpetrators made so far indicate that the executive members of the traders’ association were involved in the scam.

“The vacuum created by the suspension of the executives will not cause any rancour but will allow government to carry out a thorough investigation to identify those involved and who was getting the money.

“We had been hearing the rumour that we have sent people out to be collecting money on behalf of the state and local government, particularly on behalf of the governor and chairman of the local government.

“But truly, nobody has sent anyone to collect any revenue from the traders for the government.

“The mode of payment that people know is paying into government bank account, thereafter, you show your teller to the government task force,” he said.