The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has denied report that he was involved in tax evasion.

Ikpeazu disclosed this at his campaign office headquarters in Umuahia when he told journalist that his working life as a civil servant had made him used to paying tax because tax was always deducted at source.

He stated that the rumour about his tax evasion were been spread around by mischief makers who were out to mislead the electorate.

 “Payment of tax was not a matter of choice but a compulsorily levy as a civil servant. Therefore payment or non payment of tax cannot be an issue for a public servant (because) every public servant pays tax on pay as you earn system,” he stated.

However, he acknowledged that there could have been a mistaken identity as the mischief makers went and imported the tax document of one Chief Okezie Ikpeazu, “who is a businessman and a farmer who they are claiming has not been paying his tax and I am not that person, as I am not a chief; it is mere coincidence of name.”

The PDP gubernatorial candidate said he had earlier won a case of tax evation when some persons dragged him to a Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming that he had not been paying his taxes.

He said; “We presented our stand and when the complainants saw our defence, they had no choice than to withdraw the case, while a cost was awarded against them,” he said,

He added that the story of tax evasion was planted by his detractors to tarnish his image,

He advised media houses outside Abia State to always crosscheck their facts before going public.

He warned that rumour monger will no longer be tolerated; “We are no longer ready to take some stories for granted, as we are going to take such rumour mongers to court for them to prove their case.” He said.