A pressure group under the aegis of Benue Arise For Accountability Network(BAFAN) has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to probe the stewardship of former Chairman of the Benue Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, Andrew Ayabam.
The group stated this in press statement signed by its President, Comrade Dan Enyigwe and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.
The group also called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to also probe the tenure of Chief Mrs Mimi Adzape-Orubibi and Terzungwe Atser.
According to the group, Ayabam had been indicted for corruption by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Administration of former governor Samuel Ortom and the report was only set aside as part of the bargain for Chief Ortom to join the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, whose members were mostly affected by the report of the probe panel.
According to the group, if not for the setting aside of the report by the Benue State Executive Council, Ayabam would have been behind bars by now.
The group also noted that Ayabam’s first tenure as BIRS Chairman ushered in the existence of illegal check points on Benue roads.
The group also pointed out that Ayabam’s second coming as as BIRS Chairman saw the emergence of not less than 17 illegal check points in Ayabam’s local government of Ushongo.
It further highlighted that Ayabam’s second tenure also saw the significant drop in revenue, thereby affecting Benue’s share of FAAC, which affected the funds available to the state for development.
BAFAN also disclosed that Ayabam’s tenure as BIRS Chairman is often characterized by the establishment of many branches of his business empire under the registered name of Steam Fast, and the business begin to decline and fold up shortly after he leaves office, purchase of landed property all over Benue State, amongst others.
Comrade Enyigwe stated that the sharp decline in the fortunes of Steam Fast once Ayabam leaves office is a sign that the business venture could be used for money laundering.
BAFAN urged the governor to probe all past chairmen of the BIRS from 2011 till date to avoid mistakes of the past.
