The Enugu State Government has denied an upward review of mortuary tax to N40,000 (Forty Thousand Naira) per day as broadcast by some bloggers and unprofessional media houses, saying that it remained N40 (Forty Naira) per night for unclaimed dead bodies as originally specified in Section 34 of the Birth, Deaths, and Burial Law Cap 15 Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004.

The government explained that the memo, which was re- issued in 2023, but doctored by unscrupulous elements to read 17th September 2024, was aimed at saving bereaved families from extortion and exploitation by hospitals and tax agents, who charge way higher than N40 (Forty Naira) stipulated by the law made in 2004 to discourage bereaved families from the practice of congesting the mortuaries with their dead for long.

The government gave the clarification in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Emmanuel Nnamani, on Sunday.

“The attention of the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue has been drawn to various fake news and publications to the effect that the Enugu State Government imposed tax on the dead to the tune of N40,000 per day. This is a mischievous and wicked attempt to malign the government and the Governor.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the N40 (Forty Naira) daily imposed by Births, Deaths, and Burials Law Cap 15 Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004 was part of the effort of that administration to tackle the unhealthy habit by bereaved families to congest the morgues with their dead for many months, and even years in some instances.

“Several states in the southern part of the country have also taken steps in their own ways to curb this practice and burial expenses.

“Unfortunately, the said N40 (Forty Naira) per night, which comes to N1,200 a month has been jerked up by unscrupulous mortuary owners and agents who charge bereaved families arbitrary and indiscriminate fees/taxes, which they do not even remit to government. Therefore, the Board found it necessary to reiterate that the amount remains N40 (Forty Naira daily) as provided by the 2004 Law.

“For emphasis, although the value of N40 (Forty Naira) was much higher when the law was made in 2004, government has not deemed it necessary to raise it. Government is more interested in persuading Ndi Enugu to bury their dead ones early and take their time to prepare for the funeral instead of leaving them in the morgues.

“The Board, therefore, urges the public to ignore the fake news in circulation and also report any hospital or mortuary charging anything beyond N40 (Forty Naira) per day to law enforcement agencies or the Board of Internal Revenue,” Nnamani stated.