By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Niger State Liquor Licensing Board has disowned forged receipts being circulated in parts of the state, describing them as the work of saboteurs bent on tarnishing its reputation.
Executive Director, Operations and Enforcement of the board, Mohammed Hamisu Kogunan, told journalists in Minna that faceless individuals were issuing fake receipts to liquor vendors while spreading false claims of non-remittance of funds to government coffers.
“It has come to our notice that a few disgruntled elements are involved in nefarious activities directed at damaging the good image of the board. These claims are unfounded, false, and concocted lies, and should accordingly be disregarded by the general public,” he said.
Kogunan dismissed social media reports alleging that the board had failed to remit revenue, insisting the allegations were fabricated by “mischief makers” resisting new accountability measures.
He said the board had introduced strict reforms to block leakages in revenue collection, including the use of dedicated accounts for all payments by liquor vendors. “It is no more business as usual. Those peddling these frivolous rumours are miscreants who benefited from the old porous system that has now been effectively blocked,” he stated.
According to him, records of improved remittance are available from the state agency responsible for internal revenue.
The executive director disclosed that mechanisms had been put in place to track those behind the circulation of forged receipts and libellous claims. “Any person caught in these dubious activities targeted at smearing the reputation of the board will face the wrath of the law,” he warned.
Kogunan said the board maintains a cordial relationship with liquor vendors in the state and commended them for their peaceful conduct.
He added that attempts to create disaffection between the board and vendors “will not succeed.”
