A massive revenue fraud scheme operating under the disguise of legitimate taxation has been exposed, revealing how truck drivers and haulage operators have been extorted for over seven years.
At the center of the alleged scandal is Engr. Emmanuel Osigbemeh, National Chairman of the Heavy Duty and Haulage Transport Association of Nigeria (HDHTAN), accused of orchestrating the multi-million naira fraud.
Truck drivers across Nigeria have been forced to pay illegal levies disguised as official government fees. Fraudulent receipts labeled “In partnership with the Federal Government” were issued, tricking victims into believing they were making legitimate payments. Daily collections from this operation reportedly amount to millions of naira, yet the money never reaches government coffers.
Despite multiple petitions and official complaints to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the illegal practice has continued unchecked, raising concerns about high-level complicity.
Documents obtained by investigators show that HDHTAN’s leadership initially sought presidential approval for their revenue-collection scheme but was denied authorization. However, instead of ceasing operations, they allegedly manipulated an internal government memo to create a false impression of legitimacy.
A leaked letter from the SGF’s office—originally meant to seek police input—was reportedly twisted into a “mandate” for enforcement.
Using this fraudulent backing, HDHTAN agents, often with police escorts, extorted money from haulage operators across multiple states, including Edo and Delta.
Anti-corruption advocate Abayomi Makinde, who has been tracking the fraudulent scheme, disclosed that some police officers actively participated in the cover-up.
“They took an official memo meant for internal review and misrepresented it as a government directive to justify their extortion racket,” Makinde said.
Victims of the fraud describe it as “organized extortion” with devastating consequences for their businesses.
“We are forced to pay N10,000 daily, or they seize our trucks. They claim it’s an official government tax, and if you challenge them, they use the police against you,” a trucker lamented.
Another transporter, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “This isn’t taxation—it’s daylight robbery. Everyone in the sector knows it, but nobody challenges them because the police are involved.”
With mounting evidence and pressure from civil society groups, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces increasing calls to dismantle the fraudulent network and hold perpetrators accountable.
Makinde has urged the President to take swift action by ordering security agencies to arrest and prosecute those responsible.
“This is not just a fraud case; it’s a deliberate act of economic sabotage. If this government is serious about fighting corruption, now is the time to act,” he stated.
As investigations continue, Nigerians are watching closely. Will the government take decisive action, or will this be another case where fraudsters operate with impunity?