The former Chairman of the 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, who accused him of the illegal collection of levies from truck drivers who ply the roads in the state.
He said this accusation was not only mischievous but also a calculated attempt to malign and destroy his image, and he issued a seven-day ultimatum for Okechukwu to retract the statement.
Salami was responding to the allegation by Mr Okechukwu that Salami had continued to parade himself as a representative of the Association and was extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public.
Okechukwu had also, during the press conference, called on the public to be aware of the activities of Salami and other individuals collecting illegal levies, urging them 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 an immediate apology and retraction of the statement. He said that he had since ceased functioning when he was removed from office as Chairman, adding that the group just wanted to malign his personality and drag his name through 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 anyone 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 seven days to retract that statement or face legal action because he is just on a mission to destroy my name and reputation in society. I have told my lawyer to be on standby; should in case Mr Okechukwu fail to withdraw that statement, then legal action will follow,” he added.
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