The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) yesterday said it has arrested one of its
operatives, Uzodinma Kingsley Agbazue, for allegedly
collecting a N15million bribe from a lawmaker to kill
a case.
The commission said the suspect might face trial
after administrative action has been taken against
him.
The EFCC made the disclosures in a statement by its
Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren,
against the backdrop of the ongoing cleansing of the
anti-graft commission of bad eggs.
The statement said: “In furtherance of its avowed
commitment to upholding the integrity of its officers,
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, on Thursday, September 15, 2016 arrested one
of its operatives, Uzodinma Kingsley Agbazue for
offences bordering on criminal conspiracy and
extortion.
“Agbazue, a Deputy Detective Superintendent, DDS,
was arrested following a complaint by a lawmaker
currently under investigation by the commission,
alleging that the operative collected N15million from
him with a promise to give him soft landing by
compromising the investigation.
“According to the complainant, 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’.
“Following the approach, a sum of N15million was
given to Agbazue whose game plan collapsed after
the investigating officer, who was ignorant of his
scheme, refused to do his bidding.
“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
N5million claiming that the balance of N10million
had been given to someone ‘to kill the case from the
top’.
“The complainant also alleged that the operative
collected N1million 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.
“The suspect will be subjected to administrative
action as precursor to possible prosecution at the
end of the investigation.”
Posted by ABDULMUMINI MUHAMMAD at
00:11:00
EFCC arrests its own staff for collecting bribe