EFCC Arrests Own Staff ‘Bribed’ By Lawmaker

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.”

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