Facts have emerged how a revenue contractor, Tochi Ephraim in Abia State was arrested and remanded in prison for flouting the orders of Abia State Governor Alex Otti who on assumption of office  terminated all revenue contracts and collection of revenue in the State.


Gov Otti had on June 6, 2023 terminated all revenue contracts in the State and directed all revenue agents to return every government documents in their possession


However in defiance of the directive  Tochi Ephraim also known as, aka Tompa continued harassing and collecting revenue from drivers in Aba


Luck ran out on him  last week when the Police arrested him in Aba and transferred him to Umuahia where he was released on bail after spending few days in detention.


The Police on Tuesday June 27, 2023 arraigned him  with   Charge No: U/286/2023 between the Commissioner of Police Vs Tochi Ephraim, Chibuzor Ihemelandu and Nwazue Azubuike.


The Prosecuting Counsel,  Augustine Udoh,  a legal officer from State CID Umuahia informed the Court that Ephraim and his colleagues flouted the directives of the Governor of Abia State Dr Alex Otti on the termination of all revenue contracts in the state.


The five counts charges against him were:

” That you, Tochi Ephraim, Chibuzor Ihemelandu, Nwazue Azubuike and others at large on or about the 21st day of June 2023 at Osisioma Head bridge, Osisioma Magisterial District, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Assault occasioning harm/ malicious damage and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516A (a) of the criminal code Cap. 80, Vol. 3 laws of Abia State, 2005.


Count ii . That you Tochi Ephraim, Chibuzor Ihemelandu, Nwazue Azubuike and others now at large on the same date and place in the afforsaid magisterial district, with intent to extort, unlawfully damaged the glasses one hummer Bus valued N200,000 property of one Chinaza Nwabueze on the pretence of collecting revenue levies from him being a commercial driver and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 451 of the criminal code Cap 80 Vol 3, laws of Abia State 2005.


Count iii. That You Tochi Ephraim, Chibuzor Ihemelandu, Nwazue Azubuike and others at large on the same date and place in the afforsaid magisterial district, unlawfully damaged the glasses of one hummer Bus valued yet to be estimated, property of one Chinedu Onyejike and thereby committed an offense punishable under section 451 of the criminal code Cap 80 Vol 3 laws of Abia State 2005.


Count IV. That you, Tochi Ephraim, Chibuzor Ihemelandu, Nwazue Azubuike and others now at large on the same date and place in the afforsaid magisterial district, while armed with offensive weapons,  attacked and beat up one Chinedu Onyejike with fist blows all over his body and he also sustained injury in his left eye which caused him harm and thereby committed an offense punishable under section 355 of the criminal code Cap 80 Vol 3 laws of Abia State 2005.


Count V. That you, Tochi Ephraim, Chibuzor Ihemelandu, Nwazue Azubuike and others now at large on the same date and place in the afforsaid magisterial district, unlawfully stole sum of N60,000 , property of one Chinedu Onyejike and thereby committed an offense punishable under section 390(9) of the criminal code Cap 80 Vol 3 laws of Abia State 2005.


Ephraim and others pleaded not guilty when the charges were read, his lawyer . I.V Igboanugwo  had applied for bail which was rejected by the Court.