Abutu Adama Elulu

Long time ago in the ancient city of Idah in Idah Local Government Area of Kogi
State, Nigeria. There exists a tradition of severe punishment for persons who are
unable to pay their tax as at when due. It was a sign of gross irresponsibility and
poverty on the defaulters. A very shameful thing to happen to anyone then.
There was also a very fierce tax collector by name Abutu. He was responsible for
the punishment of anyone who fails to pay his or her tax. The punishment was to
paint such person with ashes from head to toe having his or her hair shaved off.
And make him or her dance from the beginning of Idah Town to the end. Hence
the nickname, Abutu Adama Elulu, meaning Abutu, who paints tax defaulters
with ashes.
Abutu was feared throughout the land of Igala. His appearance at anyone’s door
was avoided as much as possible by all, so no one wants to default in his or her
tax payments as defaulters are not missed in the ashes painting of Abutu.
There comes a year that Abutu himself, due to exigencies failed to pay his tax and
so defaulted. The entire town was thrown agog with comments and talks about
how Abutu the ashes painter has now defaulted in his tax payment.
The question now is “who will paint Abutu the ashes painter with ashes, now
that he has defaulted in his tax payment? Who has the skill of painting defaulters
with ashes like Abutu? And if Abutu is asked to paint himself with ashes, how can
he effectively carry out that assignment?
Ladies and gentlemen, please who will paint Abutu the ashes painter of tax
defaulters now that he has defaulted in his tax payment?
Continue to enjoy your tax returns with Adroit Accountants Limited.
Joseph Attah is the pioneer Lead Consultant/CE of Adroit Accountants Limited,
Ipswich, UK.