News
Enugu Radio Station Apologizes For Mortuary Tax Misinformation
The Urban Radio 94.5 FM, Enugu, has recanted and apologised for the statement by its presenter, Favour Ekoh, which claimed that the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service had imposed a N40,000 (Forty thousand naira) daily mortuary tax on the people, saying it was a “weird” oversight on their part.
Recall that the social media was agog at the weekend, as the 2004 law, which imposed N40 (forty naira) fine as part of the steps to curtail the practice of leaving dead bodies for too long in the mortuary to prepare for mega funerals, was made to appear as a 2024 order by the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, with bereaved families now to pay N40,000 as against N40 daily as provided for in 2004 legislation.
One of such misinformation by Favour Ekoh on Urban FM, Enugu was publicised by Instablog, an X (formerly Twitter) handle with over 4.8 million followers, thus causing uproar on the social media and agitation among many Enugu residents.
“So, the dead, they are not exempted from multiple taxation. So, you are alive, you are taxed. You are dead, you are taxed. So, basically, the Enugu State Government says, if you have loved ones, who die, if they are not buried within 24 hours, you are paying the sum of Forty Thousand Naira (N40,000) and that amount continues to count on a daily basis until you come and carry your corpse. On the day you come to carry your corpse, they will calculate the demurrage and you will pay before you pick your loved one, who is dead. So, this is the latest development in Enugu State. I do not know if by this the people will now be made to bury their loved ones as soon as they die. But how much more can the people take? How much more? I do not really know,” she said.
However, retracting the misinformation, Ekoh said, “On Saturday, on Primetime Press, I had an oversight on my part where I mixed up figures when I read the press statement by the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service on the notice of implementation of mortuary tax.
“The figure there is actually N40 (forty naira per day), but for some weird reasons, I had mentioned N40,000, which was not deliberate. So, this is me apologising to Enugu State Internal Revenue Service.
“I understand that, that caused an uproar. It was not intentional at all. I did not intend to create tensions in any way. So, my apologies to the Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Nnamani Ekene, and the entire media team of the state government.
“Even though it was corrected on subsequent programmes, but be that as it may, that should not have happened in the first place. Kindly disregard the N40,000 you had heard on Primetime Press on Saturday. It was a mistake on my part. I apologise,” she stated.
Meanwhile, recall that denouncing the misrepresentation earlier in the week, the Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service had explained that his 2023 memo was doctored to read September 17, 2024, adding that it was actually intended to save bereaved families from the exploitation of unscrupulous mortuary proprietors and agents, who charge way higher than N40 stipulated in the 2004 law.
He also explained that the 2004 law was not meant to generate revenue for the government, but intended to encourage bereaved families to bury their dead early to decongest the mortuaries.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the N40 (Forty Naira) daily imposed by Births, Deaths, and Burials Law Cap 15 Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004 was part of the effort of that administration to tackle the unhealthy habit by bereaved families to congest the morgues with their dead for many months, and even years in some instances.
“Several states and Christian denominations in the southern part of the country have also taken steps in their own ways to curb this practice and burial expenses.
“Unfortunately, the said N40 (Forty Naira) per night, which comes to N1,200 a month has been jerked up by unscrupulous mortuary owners and agents who charge bereaved families arbitrary and indiscriminate fees/taxes, which they do not even remit to government. Therefore, the Board found it necessary to reiterate that the amount remains N40 (Forty Naira daily) as provided by the 2004 Law.
“For emphasis, although the value of N40 (Forty Naira) was much higher when the law was made in 2004, the government has not deemed it necessary to raise it. The government is more interested in persuading Ndi Enugu to bury their dead ones early and take their time to prepare for the funeral instead of leaving them in the morgues.
“The Board, therefore, urges the public to ignore the fake news in circulation and also report any hospital or mortuary charging anything beyond N40 (Forty Naira) per day to law enforcement agencies or the Board of Internal Revenue,” Nnamani explained.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The emergence of Chief Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader of the Federal House of Representatives has been described as a vindication of the fact that the Action People’s Party (APP ) represents the collective interests of the Nigerian masses.
Recall that recently, Ugochinyere was elected as the Minority Leader of the party in a keenly contested election of the Federal House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the Chairman Anambra state chapter of the APP Chief Chijioke Okeke, Ugochinyere had been consistent in offering himself as the voice of the people and that of the voiceless.
“It did not come to us as a surprise that our great leader High Chief Ugochinyere became the Minority leader of the Federal House of Representatives because he has always been consistent and focus towards providing himself as the only vent for the masses at the Green Chambers”
“We know his pedegre as a politician as well as a leader and he has remained focus in ensuring that the voiceless are heard and this is also a vindication of our party’s unflinching desire to provide a veritable platform in a democratic process”
Okeke further stated that the fifth columnists who had attempted to deregister the party have been put to shame adding that the party shall continue to champion the interests of the Nigerian people.
“They made failed attempt at deregistering our great party but they lost sight of the fact that the APP is firmely rooted on ground and has all that it takes to drive the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian populace and with this recent development our traducers have been put to shame and our party is on the path of further greatness “. Okeke noted .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
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