A Magistrate in Enugu State, Mr Joseph Sunday Edeh, was at the weekend, arrested by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for demanding and allegedly receiving N500,000, bribe from an accused person facing trial in his court.
The magistrate who was apprehended by operatives of the anti-graft agency after he pocketed marked N50,000 notes from a surety to the accused person, was promptly whisked to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.
A statement by the Head, Public Enlightenment Department of the ICPC, Mr Mike Sowe said: "The sting operation was carried out following a petition from a citizen who is standing as a surety for two suspects in the Magistrate's jurisdiction.
"The petitioner alleged that after granting bail to the two suspects, the magistrate demanded for the sum of N500,000 as "settlement".
He said an initial sum of N100, 000, was paid to the magistrate`s account, in addition to another payment of N50,000 which he allegedly collected from the Surety.
"In his determination to collect more money, the magistrate was alleged to have continued to pester, harass and intimidate the surety who finally decided to report the matter to the ICPC.
"The Commission then dispatched some operatives with N50,000, marked notes which the magistrate received, and was promptly arrested".
The commission said the case will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed on the matter.
SOURCE
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