Davidson Ogbebor

The Edo State Government has commenced the implementation of the Edo State Revenue Consolidation Account (Establishment and Operation) Law, 2026, signed into law by Governor Monday Okpebholo, as part of measures to strengthen revenue management, eliminate leakages and improve fiscal discipline in the state.

Under the new law, all Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Parastatals (MDAs) of the state government are required to centralise the collection, custody and disbursement of government revenue through the approved revenue account.

The government said the law was designed to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, provide a uniform legal framework for revenue collection and prevent the unauthorised retention, diversion or expenditure of government revenue by MDAs.

Consequently, all MDAs have been given 14 days from the date of the government’s notice to disclose all revenue bank accounts held in their names or under their control to the Ministry of Finance, transfer existing balances into the approved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Account and close the separate revenue accounts.

The law also prohibits MDAs from maintaining or operating separate bank accounts for the collection, retention or expenditure of government revenue.

In addition, all MDAs are required to submit hard and electronic copies of their revenue statements and supporting records covering the period from January 1, 2025, to the commencement of the law to the Ministry of Finance, the State Auditor-General and the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) for a comprehensive revenue audit.

The government further directed MDAs to stop conducting revenue enforcement activities independently without the prior written approval of the Executive Chairman of the EIRS.

Similarly, the establishment or use of mobile courts for the enforcement of revenue-related offences will require prior approval from the EIRS Executive Chairman, in collaboration with the Edo State Judiciary.

The new law also restricts the appointment or engagement of revenue agents, consultants or other persons for the collection and management of government revenue. Such engagements must be undertaken in collaboration with the EIRS and receive the prior written approval of the governor.

Existing consultants engaged by MDAs are required to be regularised with the EIRS within 60 days.

The government said all existing laws, regulations, circulars and administrative directives that permit MDAs and government institutions to collect, retain or spend revenue at source would also be repealed.

It warned that any head of an MDA, accounting officer, director of finance, bursar, treasurer, principal officer or other public officer who fails to comply with the provisions of the law could face immediate suspension pending investigation.

The government also stated that anyone apprehended for unauthorised collection, diversion, withholding or illegal receipt of government revenue, as well as the head of the affected MDA and any officer who authorised, directed, facilitated or permitted the activity, could be held jointly liable and subjected to investigation and appropriate sanctions.

According to the state government, the implementation of the law is also in line with the ongoing tax reforms, with the EIRS designated as the agency solely responsible for driving and supervising revenue collection across Edo State.

The government said it would continue to deploy technology to improve revenue collection, strengthen accountability and protect citizens from exploitation.

The statement was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.