Anambra State Internal Revenue Services (AIRS) is tasked with the collection of internal revenues in the state.

With over 100 markets in Onitsha, 20 major international markets across the state, an industrial city in Nnewi, and several semi-urban centers bustling with economic activities, it’s no surprise that the agency responsible for revenue collection is raking in substantial funds.

However, a tussle has erupted among the top management staff of AIRS over revenue control and collection. The clash primarily involves the Executive Chairman, Chief Greg Ezeilo, and the Executive Director of Operations, Dr. Christian Madubuko.

Reportedly, the bone of contention is the control of internally generated revenue of the state.

Following his inauguration, Governor Soludo charged AIRS with increasing revenue generation, setting a target of growing the state’s internally generated revenue to N10 billion monthly.

This led to a revenue drive that received public backlash as tax complaints surfaced.

Despite these occurrences under the prior executive chairman, Dr. Richard Maddiebo, the agency later restructured its operations, moving away from cash collections to electronic payments.

An anonymous source within the agency revealed that Madiebbo was resentful that Governor Soludo did not intervene in the confrontations to rein in Madubuko.

Upon Maddiebo’s exit, Chief Greg Ezeilo assumed the role of Chairman and Executive Director, sparking another round of feuds with Madubuko as he sought to assert control.

Ezeilo’s actions included creating a new office – the UHBET Centre, reassigning Madubuko to this complex, and altering his job description. Madubuko, however, defied these changes, insisting on overseeing field operations due to the significant financial stakes involved.

“The reason for his insistence on being in the field is tied to the substantial funds at play,” the source disclosed. “Meanwhile, the Executive Director also patrols the field, resisting Madubuko’s intrusive influence into his affairs. There are a lot of power plays at work here,” the source added.

Subsequently, Ezeilo issued a memo to Madubuko, accusing him of insubordination and misappropriation of agency vehicles for personal use. This memo, leaked to the press, initiated a series of revelations.

In his response, Madubuko implicated Ezeilo, alleging the Chairman’s involvement in diverting government funds through a revenue company and attempting to conceal these actions.

He raised concerns about the company making cash returns to Ezeilo, instead of the taxes collected going directly into government coffers as electronic payments.

“I am alarmed to note that a partnering firm, responsible for supervising AIRS digital collections and remitting payments digitally, issued a cheque of N150 million, representing less than 20% of the collections,” Madubuko stated.

Madubuko further disclosed instances where Ezeilo allegedly received monetary and material inducements from external parties, exposing what he termed as corrupt practices.

These developments have escalated the ongoing strife between the key officials at AIRS, casting a shadow over the agency’s operations.

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