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.”
Premiumtimes reportage.