Osun Tax Marshal Arraigned For Stealing

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

One of tax marshals recruited by Osun State Internal Revenue Service, simply identified as Dayo Omole (28) has been arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate Court, over alleged stealing.

He was accused of stealing over N600,000 being the tax revenue collected from people.

He was said to have diverted the money into private pocket instead of remitting it into the coffer of government in the state.

Omole who was posted as revenue Marshal expected to collect tax through Point of Sale Terminal (POS) was discovered to have constituted himself to clog in the wheel of the tax generation in the state.

He was accused to have diverted a sum of Six Hundred and Seventy-One Thousand Naira (N671,000.).

The police prosecutor, Asp Fagboyinbo Abiodun had told the the court that the accused committed the offence sometime between the month of April , 2018 and April 2019.

Abiodun said the alleged offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 249 and 390(9) of Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2003.

But, the accused pleaded not guilty to allegations of stealing and breach of peace slammed against him.

Defense Counsel, Barr Tunbosun Oladipupo applied for the bail of the accused person in the most liberal terms.

Oladipupo assured the court that the suspect would not jump bail if granted, promising that reliable sureties would stand for the accused.

But the counsel to the State Internal Revenue Service, Deji Atoyebi opposed the bail application sought for the accused because of the gravity of the offence.

Ruling on the matter, Magistrate, O A Oloyade admitted the accused bail in the sum of N1m with two sureties in the like sum.

Oloyade however adjourned the case till June 3rd 2019 for hearing.

Speaking on the development, Secretary to the Board, Mrs. Oluwatosin Falomo, said the arraignment was in line with the continuous effort of the Agency to block all leakages in order to ensure taxpayers’ money get into government’s
coffers.

Falomo said that discipline should always be the watchword
of all so that at the end, the mission of the government is attainable.

She stressed further that the punishment was not only meant to serve
as a lesson for the suspect but also a deterrent to others who are entrusted with public properties.