Corruption: EFCC arrests own official over bribery by lawmaker

– An EFCC official Uzodinma Agbazue has got himself into trouble for receiving N15million bribe from a lawmaker under investigation
– Agbazue was arrested on Thursday, September 22 by fellow EFCC operatives after the lawmaker lifted the lid on their dirty deal
– EFCC says that Agbazue was charged for
“offences bordering on criminal conspiracy and extortion” .


EFCC has arrested its official Agbazue for receiving bribe
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a deputy detective superintendent Uzodinma Agbazue, an operative with the commission for receiving bribe.
Premium Times reports that Agbazue was arrested by EFCC on Thursday, September 22 for
“offences bordering on criminal conspiracy and extortion” .
The commission announced the arrest in a statement by its spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren. Agbazue got into trouble after an unnamed lawmaker alleged that the operative collected N15 million from him with a promise to compromise an investigation.
“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 read.
The statement also quoted the lawmaker as alleging that Agbazue collected N1 million at a another time to settle 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.”
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide (IYC) has accused the EFCC of witch-hunting former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience.
Speaking on Thursday, September 22, at a news conference in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, the group’s president, Udengs Eradiri, criticized the manner the anti-graft agency was defaming the ex-president and his family.