EFCC operative arrested for collecting N15 m bribe

For demanding and collecting a bribe of N15 million from a Nigerian lawmaker under investigation for undisclosed financial crime, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested and detained one of its operatives, whose name was given as Uzodinma Kingsley Agbazue.

Agbazue, a Deputy Detective Superintendent, DDS, was disarmed and detained on Thursday following a complaint lodged by the Nigerian lawmaker that he collected the cash with a promised to kill the case involving him or at least, give him a ‘”soft landing” in his matter with the anti-graft agency by compromising the investigation.

According to the complainant, Agbazue had 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 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.
“With the investigation gathering 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 N10 million had been given to someone “to kill the case from the top”.

“The complainant also alleged that the operative had earlier collected N1 million at a different time as assistance for settlement of his wife’s medical bill.

A statement by the EFCC Spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said Agbazue’s action was 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,”the spokesman said.