From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
A member of the House of Representatives for Gwer/Gwer West Federal Constituency Arch. Asema Achado has alleged unlawful closure of his business premises and harassment by the Benue State government.
Achado, who owns the Archtik Group, a conglomerate comprising subsidiaries with interest in hotels, recreational parks, banking and educational institutions, accused the State government of forcefully sealing City bay and Benysta micro-finance bank.
Narrating the incident to newsmen at his residence in Makurdi, the lawmaker said, “on December 23, 2024, officials from the Benue State Internal Revenue Service, BIRS, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, alongside law enforcement agencies, forcibly entered and sealed the premises of City Bay Park and Benysta Microfinance Bank. They presented demand notices dated December 12 and 13, 2024, regarding business premises registration fees.
“Despite City Bay Park’s status as a government property, which arguably exempts it from such fees, the management of the park swiftly paid N20,000 for registration and N219,000 as default charges to avoid conflict. These payments were made on the 23rd December, 2024 and receipts of these payments duly issued by Benue State Internal Revenue Service, (BIRS) which copies are available for reference.
“Shockingly, after an additional N20,000 was demanded and paid to unseal City Bay Park, a more aggressive enforcement team arrived and resealed both premises.
“This second operation was marked by excessive force, harassment, including the use of tear gas, which caused injuries and distress among customers, including children and the elderly. Some individuals fainted, while others sustained serious injuries in the process.
“The arbitrary and heavy-handed sealing of these business premises by the state government is executed without authorization from any competent court of law empowered to issue such an order.
This action constitutes a blatant violation of the principles of democracy, the fundamental rights of the people operating therein, reflecting the highest degree of abuse of power, suppression, and persecution by the State.”
He continued: “I make bold to state unequivocally that the action of the State Government is unlawful, uncivilised, barbaric, primitive, uncultured, ill advised and not driven by pubic interest.
“From its commencement, Benysta Microfinance Bank has given out loans to over 1,000 small scale enterprises in Benue State, worth more than N5billion. In City Bay Park, many indigenous people hold and operate businesses at the park. Many of the businesses are owned by people whom the Governor fondly calls the ‘masses’.
“Some of them purchased frozen fish and chicken and other perishable food items, preparatory for the Christmas, with most of the items sadly now rotten as a result of the forceful sealing of the park by the government.”
He lamented that the abrupt closure of these businesses has caused huge and significant financial losses to Subtenants within City Bay Park, particularly those dealing in perishable goods, psychological trauma, disruption of their livelihoods, maintaining that all efforts by the company’s management to resolve the matter with relevant authorities have been futile, as both premises remain sealed.
The APC lawmaker insisted that these actions are not only a gross abuse of power but also politically motivated, alleging that Governor Alia’s administration has consistently threatened key APC stakeholders, including himself, who were instrumental in his election victory.
According to him, ‘this pattern of oppression raises serious concerns about his commitment to good governance.
“The actions of the governor suggest a calculated attempt to silence dissent and undermine our contributions to the state’s development.”
The Federal lawmaker therefore, appealed to the Inspector General of Police to ensure that the Police in Benue State are not used as tools of oppression and intimidation but for the maintenance of law and order.
He also called on the National Leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC to caution Governor Alia on his alleged onslaught against APC Leaders in Benue State.
