The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it has arrested one of its
operatives for allegedly collecting a N15 million bribe.
The commission said in
a statement on Friday that Uzodinma Agbazue, a deputy detective superintendent,
was arrested on Thursday for “offences bordering on criminal conspiracy and
extortion”.
Mr. Agbazue was
arrested following a complaint by a lawmaker currently under investigation by
the Commission, the statement signed by the commission’s spokesperson, Wilson
Uwujaren, said.
The lawmaker alleged
that the EFCC detective collected N15 million from him with a promise to
compromise the investigation.
According to the
complainant, Mr. Agbazue allegedly approached him, claiming he had been
mandated by the officer handling the case to discuss and reach an agreement on
how to “kill the case”, the statement said.
“Following the
approach, a sum of N15 million was given to Agbazue whose game plan collapsed
after the Investigating officer, who was ignorant of his scheme, refused to do
his bidding,” Mr. Uwujaren said.
“With the investigation
gathering increased momentum after parting with the hefty sum, the complainant
became uncomfortable and demanded a refund.
“The complainant stated
that, when he requested for the refund of his money, Agbazue only returned N5
million claiming that the balance of N10 million had been given to someone “to
kill the case from the top”,” the statement adds.
The lawmaker also alleged that the operative
collected N1 million at a different time as assistance for settlement of his
wife’s medical bill.
“Agbazue’s action is in
contravention of the Commission’s mandate and ideals as the EFCC will not
solicit or accept gratification from a suspect to compromise a case under
investigation,” EFCC said.
“The suspect will be
subjected to administrative action as precursor to possible prosecution at the
end of the investigation.”
-Premium Times
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