Ex- chairman of transport Association in Kogi denies Extortion allegation threatens legal action.
The former chairman of Heavy Duty and Haulage Transport Association of Nigeria (HDHTAN), Kogi state Aminu Salami, who was accused of extortion and illegal levy collection from truck drivers has threatened legal action against the new leadership of the Association.
Salami particularly faulted the claim of the chairman of the Association, Chukwuma Okechukwu Trust, for accusing him of illegal collection of levies from truck drivers who ply the roads in the state, saying this is not only mischievous but a calculated attempt to malign destroy his image and issued a seven days ultimatum for Okechukwu to retract the statement.
Salami was speaking against the background of the allegation by Mr. Okechukwu that he has continued to parade himself as a representative of the Association and extorting money from unsuspecting member of the public, even after his removal from office.
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Okechukwu had also during the press conference, called on the public to be aware of activities of Salami and othe individuals collecting illegal levies and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities of HDHTAN Kogi State or any nearby security agencies for appropriate action.
But reacting to the allegation, Salami who vehemently denied any complicity in the matter, demanded immediate apology and retraction of the statement, saying that he has since ceased from functioning when he was removed from office as chairman, adding that the group just want to malign his personality and drag his name to the mud.
“I have no hand in any illegal collection. I have ceased to function since my removal as chairman of the Association in the state.
“They should arrest anyone who claimed to be working for me. I didn’t send any one to the road to collect any levy on my behalf. After my removal as state chairman of the Association, I was made the zonal chairman of the Association and only recently I received another letter that I have been completely suspended from the Association. So I’m not involved in any collection. He said
“I’m giving Mr. Okechukwu within seven days to retract that statement or face legal action, because he is just on a mission to destroy my name and reputation in the society. I have told my lawyer to be on standby, should in case Mr. Okechukwu failed to withdraw that statement, then legal action will follow.
