By Eyo Charles, Calabar
The anti-tax brigades of the Cross River State Anti-Tax Agency has been launched in Calabar.
The brigade within the short period of being inaugurated have so far arrested 40 persons who intimidated low income earners who he state government has exempted from paying taxes.
This was disclosed in Calabar by chairman of the agency, Bishop Emmah Isong when they marked their one year of existence.
The launch which was marked by inspection of guard of honour mounted by the brigade and inspected by Bishop Isong was the highpoint to mark the celebration.
The state governor, Prof Ben Ayade launched established the agency last year to enforce his tax exemption policy.
Isong said that the brigade is the enforcement arm of his agency, which has mostly clergymen as helmsmen.
He said the 40 persons arrested disregarded the directives of the state governor as well as the law that established the agency to enforce exemption of the low income earners from paying taxes.
“Those arrested will be prosecuted using state laws and the judiciary.
“The arrest should serve as a deterrent to all the shylock tax masters who are big politicians.
“We have profiled those arrested for arraignment.”
He said instead of jailing them, alternatively they may be punished engaging them in farming or such acts.