Ethiope East Local Government Council in Delta State has issued a demand notice of five thousand naira to POS Operators in the locality.
The Council released an account number with Zenith Bank wherein it directed all POS Operators to pay the said sum.
The account name and number with Zenith Bank: Ethiope-East Centre Sub-Revenue, 1216489980.
This is contained in a demand notice served on one of the POS Operators in Oviorie-Ovu Community.
The demand notice was signed by Hon. Tega Enakerakpo, Chairman of Ethiope-East Central Sub-Revenue Committee.
According to the demand notice, it is part of measures by the Council “to have a proper and approved P.O.S., operators in the Local Government Area, the Local Government has decided to notify you to pay your POS annual operational levy of Five Thousand Naira (N5,000) only.
“Take note, that you are requested within 21 days to make payment to the account stated below as failure to abide by this demand notice will attract serious legal action against you.”
The Delta State Coordinator of a pro-democracy and human rights group, Take It Back, TIB, Comrade Aghogho Ighorhiowhunu said the group is ready to take the Ethiope East Local Government Council to Court on behalf of the POS Operators.
This is contained in a message sent to Our Correspondent timeline on Facebook.
Comrade Ighorhiowhunu explained that “POS Machine is an instrument of the bank as every POS machine is given out and hosted by a bank.
“Every POS operator is only but an agent of a bank and cannot be levied outside the hosted bank.
“Also, the Bank and other Financial Institution Act did not recognize the LG to monitor and levy the operations of banking institutions including the operations of POS machines in Nigeria.
“Collection of money under false pretence is a criminal offence in Nigeria punishable by law.”
He also enjoined the POS operators to go about their businesses without exercising fears.
