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Taxing The Dead: Enugu State Government Faces Backlash For Imposing Mortuary Tax On Corpses

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According to Nwoye, the tax amounts to N40 per day for each body, which he believes is not only insensitive but also inhumane.

Dr. Ben Nwoye, former chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Enugu State, has expressed his dismay over the state’s decision to tax dead bodies kept in mortuaries.

According to Nwoye, the tax amounts to N40 per day for each body, which he believes is not only insensitive but also inhumane.

Nwoye shared his personal experience of having to pay the tax when his mother-in-law passed away. “I didn’t understand it before until I had to pay N40 per day,” he said. “It’s not the amount that matters, but the concept. The idea that someone would think of taxing the bereaved as a means of raising funds is callous and inhumane.”

Nwoye, who spoke to SaharaReporters in an interview, questioned the logic behind taxing the dead when the living are still struggling to pay their taxes. “Have we finished taxing the living before we go into the dead?” he asked. “The living should pay their tax, those selling things they’re making money, you must have your tax paper, traders pay your income tax.”

The former APC chairman believes that the tax is insensitive and lacks a human face. “When you govern, you govern with a human face,” he said. “And I think that one lacks insensibility. It is insensitive, even if it is one kobo the tax.”

Nwoye emphasised that the tax is not just a financial burden but also an emotional one. “As Igbo, there is a way we relate with our dead, and if I’m told that for me to keep my deceased person for one day I have to pay N40, it gets to me,” he said.

He also pointed out that the mortuary attendants already pay taxes to the state and federal government. “The mortuary people are mortuary attendants, they also have to pay the state tax, they have to pay the federal tax,” Nwoye said. “Now we are taxing the bereaved.”

Nwoye believes that the state government should focus on taxing the living rather than the dead. “We raise funds by directly taxing the bereaved for keeping the body of their deceased loved ones?” he asked. “Then you pay N40. I don’t think it’s right.”

He, however, called on the state government to review and reconsider the tax. “So, it’s something they have to go back and review and look at it,” he said.

Nwoye also questioned the calculation behind the tax. “Someone must have made an attempt in doing calculation of how many bodies that are left, how many deaths we have per year,” he said. “Because you have to budget for this.”

He believes that the tax is a sign of insensitivity and lack of empathy. “It has to be in paper, the estimate that maybe 200 people or 1000 people will die this month and will be kept in the morgue, you have to write,” Nwoye said.

Nwoye emphasised that the tax is not acceptable in Igbo culture. “From our own concept, cultural concept, it is not acceptable,” he said. “Certain things don’t belong in this culture when you govern, you govern with a human face.”

He urged the state government to prioritise the welfare of its citizens over revenue generation. “I think the government should focus on providing essential services to the people rather than taxing the dead,” Nwoye said.

Nwoye’s statement has sparked a debate about the morality and feasibility of taxing dead bodies in Enugu State. Many are calling on the state government to reconsider the tax and prioritize the welfare of its citizens.

The state government has yet to respond to Nwoye’s statement, but the issue is likely to generate more controversy in the coming days.

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A 93-year-old man has shared his secret to a long and healthy life: quitting beer.

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In an inspiring revelation, he disclosed that he stopped drinking beer in 1975, a decision that has not only improved his health but also helped him save a significant amount of money.

According to the man’s account, abstaining from beer has had numerous health benefits. Research supports this claim, highlighting that quitting alcohol can.

Improve Heart Health: Lower blood pressure, reduce triglycerides, and decrease the risk of heart failure
Enhance Liver Function : Allow the liver to heal and function normally, reducing the risk of liver disease

Boost Mental Clarity: Improve memory, nervous system function, and overall mental well-being

Promote Weight Loss :  Reduce calorie intake and support a balanced diet and exercise

Reduce Cancer Risk : Lower the risk of certain types of cancer, including liver, throat, and stomach cancer

The man advises young people to avoid habits and diets that pose health risks, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing one’s well-being. His story serves as a testament to the benefits of making healthy lifestyle choices.

– Quitting beer can lead to significant health improvements
– Abstaining from alcohol can reduce the risk of chronic diseases
– Healthy habits can contribute to a long and fulfilling life

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Alleged $6b Mambilla Project Fraud: Court Admits more Evidence against Agunloye

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Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, admitted additional evidence from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against a former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye.

Agunloye is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on seven-count charges, bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion US Dollars).

 

The additional evidence are an investigation report of the Mambila HydroElectric Power Project, the defendant awarded to Sunrise Power &Transmission Company Limited and a warrant of arrest on Jide Sotinri. They were marked “Exhibit EFCC R and S.”

During the day’s proceedings, Agunloye through his counsel, Adeola Adedikpe, SAN informed the court of his application for the release of his passport to enable him travel abroad for medical evaluation.

 

Responding to the application, prosecution counsel, M.K Hussain asked the court for more time to enable him study the application and file his reply.

The judge adjourned till Thursday, July 17, 2025 for the the hearing of the overseas medical trip application.

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SUMMARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF IMO STATE HIGH COURT,NWAORIEUBI JUDICIAL DIVISION DELIVERED ON THE 2ND DAY OF JULY 2025 OVER IMO STATE INTERNATIONAL MODERN MARKET EGBEADA/UBOMMIRI.

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1.THE HONOURABLE COURT DECLARED THAT BY VIRTUE OF S.7 4TH SCHEDULE OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (AS AMENDED) IT IS ONLY AND ONLY THE MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL (NOT IMO STATE GOVERNMENT OR ITS MINISTRY OF COMMERCE,TRADE & INVESTMENT OR ANY OF ITS AGENCIES)THAT HAS THE EXCLUSIVE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS TO ESTABLISH,DESIGN, PACELATE,BUILD MANAGE, CONTROL, ISSUE ALLOCATION PAPERS AND COLLECT REVENUE AT IMO MODERN INTERNATIONAL MARKET EGBEADA/UBOMMIRI.

2.THE INVASION AND FORCEFUL TAKE OVER OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED MARKET BY IMO STATE GOVERNMENT THROUGH ITS THEN MINISTRY OF NON FORMAL SECTOR AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT IN THE YEAR 2020 AND THE SUBSEQUENT ALLOCATIONS AND OUTRIGHT RESELLING OF LOCK UP SHOPS,OPEN SHADES/STALLS AND SPACE/PLOTS OF LAND BY THE SAID MINISTRY TO OCCUPANTS AT THE SAID MARKET (PHASE 1 & 2 AND ANNEX) FROM 2020 TILL DATE IN CONNIVANCE WITH SUCCESSIVE MBAITOLI COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIONS HAS BEEN SET ASIDE AND SAME DECLARED UNLAWFUL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL, ILLEGAL,NULL AND VOID AB INITIO BY THE HONOURABLE COURT.

3.ALL ALLOCATION PAPERS AND OUTRIGHT RESELLING OF LOCK UP SHOPS,OPEN SHADES,OPEN SPACE/PLOTS OF LANDS AT THE ABOVE MENTIONED MARKET BY SUCCESSIVE ADMINISTRATION OF MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL AFTER 2019 HAS BEEN SET ASIDE AND SAME DECLARED ILLEGAL, UNLAWFUL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL,NULL AND VOID AB INITIO BY THE HONOURABLE COURT. (Meaning if you are an occupant of lock up shop,open stalls/ shades,space/plots of land at the said market(phase 1 and 2 and annex) and your allocation paper was issued to you after 2019 by either Mbaitoli Local Government or Imo State Government,you are nothing but an ILLEGAL OCCUPANT.Only those with allocation papers from Mbaitoli Local Government Council BEFORE 2019 are survivals of this landmark judgment).

4.THE DEFENDANTS IN THE SAID JUDGMENT ARE RESTRAINED BY THE HONOURABLE COURT FROM USING THE POLICE TO OBSTRUCT,HARRASS OR ARREST OR INTIMIDATE THE PLAINTIFFS IN THE COURSE OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE SAID LANDMARK JUDGMENT OF COURT.

5.THE COURT HAS ORDERED AND DIRECTED THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND AND THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE HEADED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE TO ASSIST THE PLAINTIFFS TOWARDS ENSURING THE FULL ENFORCEMENT OF THE SAID LANDMARK JUDGMENT OF COURT.

6.3RD,6TH AND 7TH DEFENDANTS IN THE SAID JUDGMENT TO JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY PAY THE SUM OF N1MILLION NAIRA COST OF LITIGATION TO THE PLAINTIFF COUNSEL IN THE SAID JUDGMENT OF COURT.

7.THE COURT UPHOLDS AND AUTHENTICATES THE ORIGINAL DESIGN/PURPOSE CLAUSE OF THE SAID MARKET ESTATE PROJECT BY MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION IN 2018 AND NON OTHER EITHER BY THE MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL OR IMO STATE GOVERNMENT AFTER 2019.

8.THE COURT DIRECTS ALL ILLEGAL OCCUPANTS WITH ILLEGAL AND FRAUDULENT ALLOCATION PAPERS OF LOCK UP SHOPS,OPEN SHADES,OPEN SPACE/PLOTS OF LANDS AT THE SAID MARKET TO VACATE WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE JUDGMENT OF COURT.

ABOVE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
This summary presentation is for all doubting Thomases who may be risking various jail terms for disobedience to the LANDMARK JUDGMENT OF THIS HUNOURABLE COUR5 THAT HAS RETURNED FINANCIAL/REVENUE COLLECTION AUTONOMY TO MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

CONGRATULATIONS TO NDI MBAITOLI.

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